Softball Defeats Bradley to Secure Series Win

Box Score PEORIA, Ill. - - Belmont University Softball defeated Bradley, 4-2, Saturday night from Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
 
The Bruins sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning in seizing an early 3-0 lead. Nicole Hughes and Kristen Green recorded base hits in the frame as Belmont worked counts and were aggressive on the base paths.
 
From there, Ellie Giles was the story; working out of a bases loaded jam in the Bradley half of the second to keep a clean sheet.
 
Belmont threatened to extend the lead in the fourth inning, as a two-out walk to Kaley Varner and consecutive singles from Baie Ensio and Abi Ledbetter loaded the bases. But Bradley starting pitcher Camryn Schaller registered a third out before the Bruins could score.
 
Giles cruised until the bottom of the sixth, when Austin Comstock and Abbott Badgey hit back-to-back solo home runs to get the hosts within 3-2.
 
Emma Summers would enter in relief and retire the side.
 
Belmont gained insurance in the top of the seventh inning thanks to another two-out rally.
 
Green was hit by a pitch and Brenna Blume walked before Daria Haynie singled home pinch runner Ally Turner to double the Bruin margin.
 
Summers struck out the side in the Bradley seventh to earn her first save of the season.
 
Belmont (26-23) concludes regular season play Sunday afternoon at Bradley. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.