MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Belmont Softball opened the final day of the UofM Tournament with a win on Sunday morning. The Bruins (5-12) defeated Butler (13-7), 6-3.
The Bruin bats got hot early in the matchup. Freshman Molly Porter (Lindenhurst, Ill.) started a two-out rally in the top of the second inning, sending a double to right center. Sophomore Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio) doubled to left, trading places with Porter to score the first run of the contest. The Bulldogs were able to knot the score with a run put across the plate in the bottom of the third.
In the top of the fourth frame, freshman Kristen Green (Buchanan, Ga.) was hit by a pitch before Porter unleashed a two-run bomb over the centerfield fence to put the Bruins ahead, 3-1. Belmont went on to add one more for good measure in the top of the next inning with the help of a double home by freshman Lauren Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.). Butler rebounded in its half of the same, posting a pair of runs to close the run differential to one, 4-3.
Belmont expanded its lead in the top of the sixth with a two-out rally. Senior Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) sent a double down the left line and was joined on base by Porter, who reached on four balls. A passed ball moved the duo into scoring position before Lyle sent her second double of the day down the left line to increase the Bruin run tally. Butler attempted one final rally in the seventh but Lee fanned a pair of batters to secure the 6-3 win.
BU was first to score in the nightcap against host-Memphis. Freshman Kristen Green (Buchanan, Ga.) reached on a fielder's choice and was joined on base by junior Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) after she was hit by a pitch. Lee fired a single to right to push a run over the plate.
The Bruins maintained a defensive lockdown on the Tigers until they put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth frame. Memphis managed to get three over the plate to take the lead, 3-1. Belmont was able to respond in the top of the next inning with a two-out rally of its own. A throwing error helped junior Cheyenne Cavanaugh (Spring, Texas) reach first base before the speedster took advantage of a wild pitch to get to second base. Back-to-back walks for Green and junior Georgia McKee (Frisco, Texas) saw Lee clear the bases with a double to left center. Memphis hoped a pitching change would reverse course but the new hurler walked in Belmont's third run of the inning. Despite leaving three on base, BU had regained the lead, 4-3.
Memphis came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the sixth. Capitalizing on three hits coupled with Bruin errors, the Tigers were able to score three runs to take the lead for good. McKee hoped to spark BU in the top of the seventh with a single up the middle but it was not enough as UM held on for the 6-3 victory.
For the day, Porter and Lyle both batted .500, going 2-for-4. Lyle finished with a pair of doubles and four RBI while Porter logged a homerun and two RBI. Lee went 3-for-7 at the plate with a pair of doubles and three RBI.
Inside the circle, Lee went the distance in game one, fanning eight batters. Junior Autumn McDanel also tossed a complete game.
Belmont returns to action on Wednesday at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins host UMass Lowell for a single game beginning at 3:30 p.m. The contest can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available.
