NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- Belmont University Softball will close out their last non-conference weekend at the Governors Classic to face host team Austin Peay State University and the University of Dayton.Â
The Bruins are now 11-6 on the season after the Tennessee Classic.Â
Belmont is set to host their home opener on Tuesday, March 10 against Indiana University. The Bruins have not had a home game since May 1, 2022.Â
Weekend ScheduleÂ
Saturday March 10, Belmont vs Dayton at 12:30 p.m.Â
Saturday March 10, Belmont vs Austin Peay at 3 p.m.
Sunday March 11, Belmont vs Dayton at 12:30 p.m.Â
Sunday March 11, Belmont vs Austin Peay at 3 p.m.
What's BruinÂ
- Belmont defeated Appalachian State in their first meeting (5-0) and Jacksonville State (1-0) to add two wins to their record at the Tennessee Classic
- The Bruins fell to #7 Tennessee in both contests, a run from Baie Ensio ended the Lady Volunteers nine game shutout streak
- Nicole Hughes posted five hits, two doubles, three runs, and an RBI on the weekend
- Belmont's pitching produced 40 strikeouts, 22 of them coming from Maya Johnson, and 15 from Emma SummersÂ
- Maya Johnson was named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the week after her debut on Tuesday, February 14Â
- The Bruins earned the sixth spot in the preseason poll announced by the league office January 31Â
- Belmont finished 33-17 last season finding themselves in the Championship matchup against Murray State
Bruin NumbersÂ
- Belmont ranks 55th in the NCAA
- The Bruins rank first in the MVC in shutouts with threeÂ
- Maya Johnson leads the MVC in strikeouts (78) and victories (7)Â
- Baie Ensio leads the Bruins in hits with 18
- Nicole Hughes posts 12 RBI in her 15 hits on the season
- Kristen Green holds the top batting average at .375
- Ensio, Hughes, and Brenna Blume have started in each of the 17 gamesÂ
Scouting Report
- Austin Peay holds a 7-7 record on the season with star performers Gabi Apiag who posts a .359 average with 8 RBIÂ
- The Governors had a no hitter against Providence in midweek matchup on Tuesday
- Dayton posts a 6-9 record moving into the weekend with Emma Schutter leading the Flyers with a .447 batting average and 4 RBI
New Era
- Belmont is entering their first year in the MVC after over a decade in the Ohio Valley Conference
- Belmont joins UIC and Murray State as MVC newcomers.Â
- The Bruins have been voted sixth in the MVC preseason poll, receiving one first place vote and 67 voting points from the league coaches
- Valparaiso was picked as the preseason favorite
- Belmont will compete against Indiana State, Murray State, Southern Illinois, UIC, Illinois State, Missouri State, Valparaiso, Evansville, Drake, and Northern Iowa in the MVC
