ATLANTA, Ga. – The Belmont University Softball Program opened the Panther Invitational against Butler before taking on host Georgia State. The Bruins dropped a close first game to the Bulldogs 1-2. Belmont later claimed a 5-3 victory against Georgia State.
Game 1 vs Butler (1-2)
With a couple of Belmont errors, Butler quickly took an 0-2 lead in the top of the first. The Bruins continued to battle and finally got their bats moving in the bottom of the fourth. Despite two Bruin hits and bases loaded, Butler managed to prevent a Belmont run in the fourth.
Emily Cockrill later recorded an RBI double to put the Bruins on the board in the bottom of the fifth at 1-2. Despite the Bruins' late offensive effort, the Bulldogs picked up their defense to finish the game on top 1-2.
Game 2 vs Georgia State (5-3)
Belmont got off to a hot start in the second game of the day. In the top of the second, the Bruins recorded three hits bringing in two runs to take a 2-0 lead.
Ella Bertucci and
Baie Ensio each recorded an RBI in the inning.
Georgia State countered with a run of their own in the bottom of the third to close the gap at 2-1.
Indy Cockrill responded in the top of the fourth with an RBI double to extend the Bruins' lead to 3-1.
The Belmont bats kept moving as
Grace Gressly recorded an RBI double of her own in the top of the fifth. The Bruins found themselves up 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Panthers got hot in the fifth and recorded back-to-back home runs to cut the Bruins' lead to 4-3.
Alex Clesi entered the circle to relieve
Ellie Giles in the bottom of the sixth. Clesi helped keep the Panthers from scoring again in the final two innings.
Nicole Hughes also recorded the first home run of the season for Belmont in the top of the seventh pushing the Bruins to a 5-3 victory.
What's Bruin
Up Next
The Bruins will take on the South Dakota Coyotes at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow before a rematch with the Panthers at 4:30 p.m.
Panther Invitational
Friday (2/16): vs Butler (9 am) / at Georgia State (2 pm)
Saturday (2/17): vs South Dakota (11:30 am) / at Georgia State (4:30 pm)
Sunday (2/18): vs South Dakota (9 am)
Follow Along: Live Stats will be available on belmontbruins.com.
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