Softball Splits Sunday in Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind.-- Belmont University Softball split the Sunday double header against the Evansville Purple Aces to close out the series.The Bruins defeated the Purple Aces 6-5 in the first meeting of the day while falling 3-1 in the second contest. 

On the weekend the Bruins produced nine runs on 20 hits for 28 total bases. Emily Cockrill led the Bruins with 5 hits and her second game winning home run of the season. 

The Belmont pitching staff tallied 38 strikeouts with only eight walks in 24 innings on the weekend.

How it Happened: Game One
Evansville began the scoring into today's contest with two runs in the first inning on a two RBI single from Taylor Howe. 

In the top of the fourth, the Bruins hits turned into runs beginning with a bunt from Baie Ensio to score Nicole Hughes who singled into center field. Bases loaded from Ensio's bunt and two previous walks for Kristen Green and Abi Ledbetter, Brenna Blume joined in on the strategy to score Green on her walk. A fielder's choice and an error from the Purple Aces brought in an additional two runs for the Bruins. Kylie Cunningham posted her first career hit for an RBI single to score Blume, 5-2. 

Jenna Nink of Evansville led off the inning with a solo home run. Marah Wood proceeded to send out a two RBI home run later in the inning to tie the game 5-5.

Emily Cockrill blasted the game winning home run in the top of the sixth. Back to back weekends Cockrill has posted a game winner for the Bruins.

Two outs bottom of the seventh, tying run on third for the Purple Aces. A single sent out, Abi Ledbetter threw home to get the lead runner out by Brenna Blume and take the game, 6-5. 

How it Happened: Game Two 
The Bruins got on the board first in the second matchup of the day. Emma Barnes, back from a wrist injury, posted a leadoff single to set the tone for the Bruins. Barnes capitalized on Green's ground out to go up over the Purple Aces 1-0. 

Jenna Nink posted her second home run of the day to even the game 1-1 in the third. An RBI single in the fourth from Jess Willsey took the 2-1 lead. An error on the Bruins led to the Purple Aces third run of the game to add insurance to the lead. 

Belmont was unable to generate a hit in the final two innings of the matchup but held the Purple Aces to their 3-1 score. 

Up Next: The Bruins will face the University of Illinois Chicago for a conference weekend series beginning Thursday, April 2 at 5 p.m. 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.