CONWAY, Ark. -- Strong outputs offensively and defensively were not enough to lift Belmont Softball to a pair of victories on its final day at the UCA Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic on Saturday. The Bruins (2-10) were held off 9-1 by Northern Iowa before being edged in the defensive duel with Stephen F. Austin, 2-0.
Game one saw the teams fall into an immediate stalemate in the first frame. UNI posted a run in its half of the opening inning but the Bruins immediately fired back. Senior Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) singled up the middle and was joined on base by junior Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) who reached on four balls. A long single to center field by senior Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) sent the tying run over the plate for BU.
The Panthers used a two-run homer in the top of the third inning to take the lead, 3-1. The Bruins remained behind for the next two innings before UNI exploded in the top of the sixth. Fueled by a grand slam and a triple, Northern Iowa took a dramatic 9-1 lead. Despite getting a pair of runners on base, Belmont was unable to get one over the plate and fell by the same score.
In the nightcap, the second-ever game between Belmont and Stephen F. Austin was a defensive battle for the first several innings of play with neither able to get a runner over the plate. Junior Cheyenne Cavanaugh (Spring, Texas) looked the spark BU with a single and a steal in the top of the fourth but the Bruins were unable to get her home. The 0-0 stalemate remained for nearly two more innings. Suddenly, the Jacks used a two-run homerun in the bottom of the sixth to finally make a dent on the scoreboard. Belmont was unable to rally in its half of the seventh and fell, 2-0.
For the day, Lee went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and an RBI.
Inside the circle, senior Britany Kennett (Melbourne, Australia), Lee and junior Autumn McDanel (Moravia, Iowa) all saw time. The trio combined for six strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Wednesday, March 4 on the road at regional foe Western Kentucky. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
