Softball Opens Series With 2-1 Win

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Belmont University Softball Program (20-9, 6-2 MVC) faced Indiana State (13-16, 2-4 MVC) to open the weekend series on Friday. The Bruins topped the Sycamores 2-1 to collect their 20^th win this season while extending their win streak to six. 
 
How it Happened
Indiana State pitched back-to-back walks to start the game sending Grace Gressly and Nicole Hughes to first and second. The runners would later steal second and third to put the Bruins in scoring position. Despite the early movement on the bases, Belmont was unable to bring in a run.
 
The Sycamores walked two more Bruins in the top of the second. Similar to the previous inning, Belmont was still unable to send a runner home. The Bruins later forced the Sycamores to a three up, three down inning in the bottom of the second to leave the score at zeros.
 
Both teams continued to play strong defense in the third resulting in another scoreless inning for Belmont and ISU.
 
The Bruins' bats started to move in the top of the fourth. Daria Haynie added a double to right center recording the first hit of the day for Belmont. Haynie would later reach third to put the Bruins in scoring position. Belmont struggled to record another hit resulting in a scoreless inning. ISU took the batter's box in the bottom of the fourth and recorded a single. Maya Johnson followed with a strikeout to hold the Sycamores at zero. 
 
Neither team could bring in a run in the fifth leaving the score knotted at 0-0.
 
Belmont started to gain momentum in the top of the sixth. Baie Ensio walked and then stole second to start the inning. With a fielder's choice, Ensio advanced to third putting the Bruins in scoring position. Ella Bertucci followed with a walk and eventually stole second. Emma Barnes entered the batter's box to pinch hit and was also walked. With bases loaded, Gressly drove in a two RBI double to put the first two runs on the board and give the Bruins a 2-0 lead. 
 
ISU responded with a home run in the bottom of the sixth to bring the Sycamores within one a 2-1. 
 
Johnson recorded three strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 2-1 win for the Bruins. 
 
Johnson collected her ninth win in the circle this season while tallying 10 strikeouts and only allowing four hits and one run. 
 
Up Next
The Bruins will take on the Sycamores in game two of the series at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. Live stats will be available on belmontbruins.com. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+.
 
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