EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Belmont Softball saw its recent win streak snapped on the road at SIUE on the opening day of its final series of the 2021 campaign. The Bruins fell to the Cougars, 4-0, in game one before their rally fell shy in the nightcap, 5-1.
Belmont looked to make mark early with a pair of singles from senior Cheyenne Cavanaugh (Spring, Texas) and sophomore Abi Ledbetter (Livingston, Tenn. In the top of the first frame. However, BU was unable to get them home. SIUE would be first to put a run across, using a solo homerun in the bottom of the third.
In the top of the fourth frame, BU attempted to answer back. Ledbetter helped the Bruins launch their first big scoring threat. She singled to left and was joined on base by junior Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio) with a single to the opposite side of the field. However, BU could not get them over home plate. SIUE was able to hold on to its slim one run lead until the bottom of the sixth when it added three more runs to go up 4-0. The Bruins were unable to make something in their half of the seventh and fell by the same score.
In the nightcap, the Cougars were able to score first again, posting a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. The home team held onto its advantage for the next two innings before the Bruins made their first mark on the scoreboard. In the top of the fourth, Lyle reached base on four balls and had freshman Savannah Halterman (Nashville, Tenn.) come in to pinch run. She immediately stole second base and was in scoring positon for BU. A long single from senior Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa) helped her get over the plate and cut the SIUE lead in half. The Cougars fired back in their half of the same frame and added one more run to go up, 3-1.
SIUE piled on two more runs in their half of the fifth to expand its lead, 5-1. BU surged in the top of the sixth, looking to once again add runs to the board. Sophomore MyKayla Spurlin (Madisonville, Ky.) reached on four balls, hoping to spark her teammates. However, the Cougars worked to get out the leadoff runners with strong fielder's choice efforts. In their half of the same, SIUE launched a triple but the Bruin defense clamped down and did not allow the runner to cross home plate. The home team was able to hold on for the win by the same score.
For the day, Cavanaugh, Ollinger and Ledbetter led BU at the plate, all batting .333. Ollinger finished with a double and an RBI.
Inside the circle, Clesi went the distance in game one, fanning four batters. Seniors Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) and Autumn McDanel (Moravia, Iowa) split time in the nightcap with Veltri collecting a pair of strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday to conclude the series at SIUE with a single game. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. The contest can be seen live on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Live stats will also be available. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontSoftball) for live, in-game updates.
