Softball Extends their Win Streak to Seven

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Belmont Softball extended their win streak to six which included the Bruins' first shutout win of the season over Lindenwood University (4-0) and dramatic ten inning win against Samford University (4-3). 

Belmont scored two runs in both of the first innings to set the tone for each game. 

Nicole Hughes produced 5 RBI on the day with three hits against Lindenwood and began the scoring for the Bruins in both games with RBI singles. 

Maya Johnson earned her sixth win over Samford with an impressive 13 strikeouts in ten innings. 

Ellie Giles pitched her first career win in her first full game against Lindenwood with 5 strikeouts allowing only 2 hits. Giles also helped herself with four assists defensively. 

How it Happened - Game One 
The Bruins woke up ready to play on a beautiful day in Birmingham. 

Grace Gressly was first on base for the Bruins today on a walk. She was shortly brought home by a Nicole Hughes double. Hughes advanced to third on the throw ready for a Kristen Green RBI single. 

Baie Ensio sent a single through the left side. Gressly has been a force at the plate for the Bruins. She brought Ensio home on a 2 run home run for her first home run at Belmont after fouling off numerous times to keep her at bat alive.

Nicole Hughes went 3 for 3 while Emily Cockrill went 3 for 2 against the Lions. 

Ellie Giles ended the shutout game with a looking strikeout to secure the win. 

How it Happened - Game Two 
Hughes continued her hitting streak as she sent a hard ground ball through the center to score Emma Barnes who reached on a Samford error and Ensio who singled earlier in the inning. 

The Bruins constructed two double plays against Samford, the first came from a stop at third by Kaley Varner to get the lead runner and finalized with Varner throwing out the runner at first. 

Belmont, still eager to score, loaded the bases in the second and the fourth but were unable to complete a scoring play. 

The Bulldogs felt the heat and tied up the game in the bottom of the fourth on two singles and a double.

The score remained 2-2 in an offensive battle until the tenth inning. 

Ensio was placed on second to begin the tenth. Gressly came up with her first hit of the game with a single to add a runner. MyKayla Spurlin came in to pinch run and quickly stole second. 

With 2 Bruins in scoring position, Hughes came in clutch with the game winning 2 RBI single to go up over the Bulldogs 4-2. 

Up Next
Belmont will take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham for their final game of the UAB Blazer Bash Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m.

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.