Softball Defeats Drake Friday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University Softball defeated Drake, 2-1, Friday night from E.S. Rose Park.
 
Starting pitcher Emma Summers delivered her second consecutive sterling performance on the mound, giving up no earned runs in a complete game, three-hitter to earn her 10^th victory of the season.
 
Abi Ledbetter laced a leadoff single in the bottom of the first inning to get the Bruin bats going.
 
However, the visiting Bulldogs opened the scoring. Carey Koenig reached base on an error and later scored on a two-out, RBI double from Sami Miller.
 
The Bruins equalized in the third inning.
 
Baie Ensio provided a one-out single before stealing second. After Ledbetter was retired, Nicole Hughes continued her clutch hitting with a two-out, RBI double to center field to score Ensio and tie the game, 1-1.
 
Summers struck out MaKayla Rice to end a Drake scoring threat in the top of the fourth inning.
 
Drake neutralized several Belmont scoring opportunities with strong defensive plays on the base paths.
 
In the Bruin sixth, Belmont capitalized on a leadoff double from Emily Cockrill. She would eventually advance to third base on a Drake wild pitch, before scoring on a timely double to right field from Brenna Blume.
 
After Blume's heroics, Belmont did have to navigate the Bulldogs in the top of the seventh.
 
Addie Lightner served a leadoff single before Ledbetter made a nice defensive play at first base to extinguish a Drake sacrifice bunt attempt.
 
Though Lightner would steal second base with one out, Summers closed the deal with consecutive strikeouts.
 
Blume went 2-for-3 at the plate, with the game-winning RBI.
 
Belmont (24-21) hosts Drake Saturday.
 
First pitch is schedule for 2 p.m.