NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball Program (18-9, 4-2 MVC) opened the weekend against Evansville (9-21, 4-3 MVC) in a doubleheader on Saturday. The Bruins took both games over the Aces.
Game 1 (3-0)
Evansville recorded a single in the top of the first, but the Belmont defense was able to secure three outs preventing a run for the Aces.
Emma Barnes responded with a single to left for the Bruins. Belmont was unable to bring in a run leaving Barnes on base.
The Bruin defense forced the Aces to a three up, three down inning in the second.
Abi Ledbetter entered the batter's box and hit a single up the middle.
Daria Haynie later added an RBI single to give Belmont the first run of the day. The Bruins headed into the third up 1-0.
Belmont recorded three quick outs in the top of the third to maintain their lead as they went to bat.
Grace Gressly recorded a double, but the Bruins couldn't bring her home.
Both teams went three up, three down in the fourth leaving the Bruins still in front 1-0.
Evansville's Hannah Hood added a double and later advanced to third base. With the tying run on base, center fielder
Ella Bertucci secured the putout to keep the Aces from scoring. The Bruins struggled to record a hit in the bottom of the fifth, but stayed on top 1-0 heading into the sixth.
Belmont broke things open in the bottom of the sixth.
Emily Cockrill recorded an RBI single to send
Indy Cockrill across home plate. Ledbetter added an RBI single of her own to give the Bruins their third and final run of the game.
The Bruins finished game one on top 3-0.
Emma Summers pitched a complete game while tallying five strike outs and only allowing four hits with no runs. The pitcher moves to 5-3 this season.
Game 2 (7-1)
Maya Johnson recorded two quick strikeouts to open game two. E. Cockrill stepped in the batter's box and hit an RBI single to put the Bruins on the board in the bottom of the first.
Evansville got two runners on base in the second, but the Belmont defense was able to prevent an Aces run. Haynie recorded another single in the bottom of the second but was later caught stealing for the third out of the inning. Belmont led 1-0 at the end of the second.
The Bruins recorded three straight outs in the top of the third. Bertucci tallied a single to lead off Belmont in the bottom of the third. Belmont was unable to bring Bertucci home leaving the score at 1-0.
The Aces drove in their first run of the day in the top of the fourth. With the game tied at 1-1, the Evansville pitcher threw three walks that later resulted in a run for Belmont. The Bruins took a 2-1 lead at the end of the fourth.
Despite adding two hits, Evansville was saw another scoreless inning in the top of the fifth. Belmont maintained a 2-1 lead after the fifth inning.
Johnson recorded two strikeouts in the top of the sixth marking her tenth of the game in a three up, three down inning for the Aces. The Bruins got hot in the bottom of the sixth. Barnes came up with a huge two RBI double to extend Belmont's lead to 4-1. E. Cockrill later added another RBI single followed by a sacrifice fly from Blume to drive in two runs for the Bruins. With back-to-back walks, Belmont would add another run late in the sixth.
The Bruins went on to finish game two on top 7-1 ending the day with two wins.
Johnson picked up her eighth win in the circle after recording 11 strikeouts while allowing six hits, two walks, and only one run in seven innings of work.
Up Next
The Bruins will round out the weekend series against Evansville in a 12 p.m. match up on Sunday. Live stats will be available on belmontbruins.com. Live stream will be available on ESPN+.
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