NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Thanks to a walk-off single from senior Cheyenne Cavanaugh in game three, the Belmont University softball team won game three of its series with UT Martin following a 9-3 loss on Monday at Rose Park.
Junior Audrey Lyle, sophomore Abi Ledbetter, and senior Elison Ollinger all recorded multi-hit games, with Lyle and Ledbetter obtaining two hits in game two and Ollinger collecting a pair of hits in game three. Freshman Alex Clesi picked up her fourth win of the season in Monday's finale, not allowing a hit in the final two innings of play.
Game 2
UT Martin struck first at the start of Sunday's game two, scoring four runs in the top of the second inning off an RBI single and a three-RBI triple. The Skyhawks added three more runs in the top of the third inning, but Belmont cut away at the deficit with a two-RBI double from sophomore Lauren Veltri in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Lyle hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning before the 9:50 p.m. curfew was called and play was forced to resume on Monday. Starting with the top of the seventh inning on Monday, UT Martin loaded the bases with two outs. A fielding error by Belmont allowed two runs to score, giving UT Martin a 9-3 lead.
Belmont hit a leadoff double to start the bottom of the seventh inning, but three consecutive outs prevented a comeback and gave the Skyhawks the series win.
Game 3
UT Martin once again got things started in the top of the second inning in game three, scoring two runs off an RBI single and a fielder's choice. Freshman Kaley Varner scored Veltri off an RBI triple after she drew a walk, where Varner tied the game by scoring a run off a wild pitch later in the bottom of the second inning to tie the score.
Lyle gave the Bruins the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, hitting her seventh home run of the season. UT Martin responded in the following half-inning, hitting a 2-RBI double to give the Skyhawks the 4-3 advantage. Ollinger answered back by hitting her second home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing the Bruins to tie it up 4-4.
After Belmont stranded a UT Martin runner in the top of the seventh inning, Belmont got two runners on-base following a single and hit-by-pitch. Cavanaugh delivered the knockout in the following at-bat, hitting a single to center field that drove in the game-winning run.
Belmont (12-23, 8-17) continues Ohio Valley Conference play on Saturday, facing Tennessee Tech in a doubleheader at Rose Park at 1 p.m.
