Belmont Previews 2023 Campaign

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont University Softball is set to enter their first season in the Missouri Valley Conference with a stacked lineup. The Bruins will face Troy University at the Troy University tournament opening day Friday, February 10. 

The Bruins earned the sixth spot in the preseason poll announced by the league office January 31. Belmont finished 33-17 last season finding themselves in the Championship matchup against Murray State. The Bruins took the Racers into the necessary game of the championship falling just short of the title with a 5-2 result. 

Belmont has a blended crew for the 2023 season returning 14 student athletes while adding 8 newcomers. 

The Bruins house two impactful veteran pitchers on their roster. Emma Summers pitched 136 innings for the Bruins in the 2022 campaign. Summers earned 124 strikeouts and finished with a 2.01 ERA. Alex Clesi recorded seven wins to her name with a 4.02 ERA to finish out the season. 

Returning starter catcher, Audrey Lyle will continue her command behind the plate for her fifth season. Lyle started in all 50 games for the Bruins last season as she finished with a .918 fielding percentage along with 249 outs. Offensively, Lyle earned 27 hits and four homeruns to impact the Bruins scoring efforts. 

Catcher Grace Gressly, joins the Bruins from Dayton University. Gressly began her career under the leadership of Head Coach Laura Matthews at Wright State. At Dayton Gressly earned her career high .379 batting average with six multiple RBI games. Gressly was named to the A-10 All-Conference First Team. 

Stand out players Abi Ledbetter and Kristen Green return for the 2023 season. Ledbetter, a force at first base, recorded a .982 fielding average with 273 putouts to her name. Green helped lead the Bruins offensively with the team high 42 RBI and eight home runs.  

With a year under their belt Baie Ensio, Emma Barnes, and Emily Cockrill return for the Bruins. Ensio started in every game for the Bruins and commanded the outfield with a team high .989 fielding percentage and at bat, earning 41 hits throughout the 2022 contests. Barnes on the other side of the outfield had 48 outs on the season with 34 hits for the Bruins. Cockrill proved herself to be an asset on third 62 assists and 42 outs herself on the season. 

Numerous experienced players return to aid the Bruins including Savannah Halterman, Kailey Brown, Indy Cockrill, Kathryn Flowers, Mykayla Spurlin, and Kaley Varner. 

Newcomer Nicole Hughes came to Belmont as a power hitter from Illinois. The Bruins are looking forward to seeing the impact she makes on the program. Daria Haynie also joins the Bruins as one of the top offensive players in her area. Earning All-Conference and All-County honors throughout high school. Kylie Cunningham will serve as a major asset with her speed and hitting ability. Brenna Blume serves the Bruins as another outstanding hitter looking to make her mark on the program. Full package freshman, Ally Turner is polished on defense and is looking to lead at the plate as well. 

Maya Johnson, a redshirt freshman transfer from the University of Pittsburgh joins the pitching staff for Belmont. A two-time All-State selection and Cuyahoga County Pitcher of the Year. The left-handed pitcher was also named the NFCA National Player of the Week twice, holding the school record for most no-hitters and perfect games. In addition the Bruins will also add Ellie Giles, a decorated pitcher. Giles has received First Team All-State Selection, Player of the Conference, and an All-Conference Selection.

The Bruins are set to compete in five games opening weekend at the Trojan Classic. The Trojans are returning six key starters for their 2023 season. The Trojans went 31-21 during 2022. A familiar face for the Bruins to open up the season, former Ohio Valley Conference competitor. Last season the Bruins swept the weekend over the cougars (8-1, 8-4, and 4-2). 

Weekend Schedule 
Friday, February 10 
Belmont at Troy at 5 p.m.

Saturday, February 11 
Belmont vs SIUE at 11 a.m.
Belmont at Troy at 5 p.m.

Sunday, February 12 
Belmont vs SIUE 11 a.m. 
Belmont at Troy 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.