AUBURN, Ala. – The Belmont University Softball Program opened the season with two battles against no. 19/20 Auburn and Illinois. The Bruins dropped the first game to the Tigers but bounced back to top Illinois.
Game 1 (Auburn 6, Belmont 1)
The first two innings were neck and neck. Auburn brought in a run in the bottom of the first to take a 0-1 lead.
The Bruins responded with a double by
Emily Cockrill and single from
Baie Ensio to get Belmont on the bases in the top of the second. In a double steal, E. Cockrill reached home and put the Bruins on the board. The run by the Bruins evened the score at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the second.
The Tiger bats got hot in the bottom of the third adding two more runs for Auburn. Auburn would continue their strong offense and take the game 1-6.
Emma Barnes led the Bruins with three hits and a double. E. Cockrill and Ensio added two hits apiece.
Brenna Blume,
Ella Bertucci, and Ensio all contributed four put outs.
Game 2 (Belmont 6, Illinois 4)
With a 2 RBI single, Blume helped put the Bruins on the board in the bottom of the first. Belmont took a quick 2-0 lead.
Illinois would tie the game in the top of the third 2-2. Still tied heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Bruins responded with three runs to take a 5-2 lead. Barnes led the way with a 2 RBI double and E. Cockrill added a double to help Belmont take the lead.
The Bruins were able to maintain the lead while adding another run from E. Cockrill in the bottom of the sixth.
Emma Summers relieved
Maya Johnson and helped the Bruins finish off the Fighting Illini 6-4.
Barnes and Blume both recorded doubles. Johnson would take the win in the circle after recording three strikeouts while allowing five hits and three runs.
Up Next
The Bruins will take on no. 23 Virginia Tech at 10 am on Saturday.
About the Hokies
- Virginia Tech came in at no. 23 on the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Preseason Poll.
- The Hokies went 2-0 to open the 2024 season after topping Illinois (18-1) and Auburn (8-1).
- Emma Ritter was tabbed preseason All-ACC for the second straight season. Ritter started in 58 games while leading the team with a .368 batting average on 68 hits.
- Tech also returns Cameron Fagan to the lineup. Fagan was named preseason All-ACC for the third consecutive season after posting a .335 batting average on 61 hits last season.
- The Bruins will meet the Hokies for the first time in program history.
Tiger Invitational
Friday: 4 pm vs no. 19/20 Auburn | 7 pm vs Illinois
Saturday: 10 am vs no. 23 Virginia Tech | 7 pm vs Illinois
Sunday: 2 pm vs no. 19/20 Auburn
Location: Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.)
Follow along: Live stats will be available on belmontbruins.com. Sunday's game versus Auburn will be streamed on SEC+.
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