Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University Softball successfully defeated Eastern Illinois University in both games of the doubleheader to kick off the three game series. An eventful day at E.S. Rose Park filled with face painting, balloon animals, pictures with Bruiser, base running, senior celebration, and a power outage. Through all the commotion the Bruins stayed strong to pull out a 1-0 win and a 7-4 win over the Panthers.
Belmont Softball recognized Lauren Veltri, Jessica Parente, Elison Ollinger, Cheyenne Cavanaugh, and Alicia Veltri before game one for all of their success on the field and in the classroom through their careers at Belmont.
Game One:
The Bruins posted their seventh shutout of the season against the Panthers to secure game one. Pitcher Emma Summers posted her twelfth win on the season with six strikeouts allowing six hits.
Cavanaugh led off the Bruins with a single advancing to second on a poor throw, on the day Cavanaugh went 6-7 in the box. Green was then hit by a pitch, the Bruins left two on this inning but the drive for runs was there.
Two strikeouts for Emma Summers in the second to keep the game moving and give her defense a breather. The Bruins were unsuccessful in the second to score.
Four walks in a row for the Bruins in the third, tactical against the Panther's pitching scored the lone run in the 1-0 victory over the EIU.
The final innings were a pitchers game with numerous pop-ups from both teams. The Panthers out hit the Bruins 6-2 but the Bruins came out with the win. Both Baie Ensio and Cheyenne Cavanaugh had SportsCenter Top 10 worthy catches in the outfield to secure outs for the Bruins.
Game Two:
The Bruins led a more intense game in the second. Leadoff hitter Cavanaugh got the Bruins going in the first, ripping a double to right field. She was quickly brought home by Abi Ledbetter on an RBI single that dropped near the infield of right field.
Singles from Veltri and Ensio energized the Bruins in the second. Ensio proceeded to steal second for two runners in scoring position. Cavanaugh with her second double on the day brought home Indy Cockrill who pinch ran for Veltri as well as Ensio, 3-0.
Bottom third, Alicia Veltri put on a show not only in the circle but at the plate as well. Helping herself out, Veltri blasted a two run homerun deep past center field.
A three RBI double from Panther's Rachel Kufman put EIU on the board for the first time of the day. However, this board did not last long as there was a park wide power outage in the middle of the fifth. No scoreboard, no music, just some good softball.
The Bruins extended their lead in the sixth, Emily Cockrill laid down a beautiful bunt. A throwing error led her to take second and Ollinger to score. Gabrielle Givers with a sacrifice fly brought home Veltri, 7-3.
A last ditch effort from the Panther's secured an additional run in the seventh also on a sacrifice fly. The Bruins were able to get out of the inning with little damage and secure the win.
Up Next: The Bruins will host the final game of the series against EIU at 1 PM CT.
Follow Belmont Softball on social media - @BelmontSoftball on Twitter and @belmontsoftball on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
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