VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Belmont University Softball Program (23-10, 9-3 MVC) opened the weekend series against Valparaiso (8-21, 2-6 MVC) in a doubleheader on Saturday. The Bruins dropped game one to the Beacons but bounced back with a dominant performance to take game two.
Game 1 (2-4)
Emma Barnes led off the first inning for the Bruins with a walk.
Nicole Hughes followed with a single to put two runners on base for Belmont. Despite the early movement, the Bruins were unable to bring in a run leaving two runners stranded. Valparaiso responded with solid offensive play to take a 0-1 lead at the end of the first.
Belmont struggled to get things going in the second before Valparaiso broke things open in the bottom of the inning. The Beacons went on to score three to extend their lead to 0-4 heading into the third.
The Bruins' offensive struggles continued until the top of the sixth.
Abi Ledbetter drove in an RBI single to give Belmont their first run of the day. Belmont continued with the momentum to force Valpo to a three up, three down inning in the bottom of the sixth.
Emily Cockrill got Belmont going in the top of the seventh with an RBI single up the middle. The Bruins were able to bring the game within two, but ultimately fell 2-4 in game one of the day.
Game 2 (12-1)
It was all Belmont in game two. With three straight walks, the Bruins had bases loaded in the top of the first.
Brenna Blume followed with an RBI off a fielder's choice to give Belmont their first run.
Daria Haynie then added an RBI single to push the Bruins to an early 2-0 lead.
Maya Johnson tallied two quick strikeouts in her first inning in the circle to keep the Bruins ahead 2-0 at the end of the first.
In her first hit of the season,
Kaley Varner doubled to left center in the top of the second. Despite the hit from Varner, the Bruins were unable to bring in a run in the second. Belmont ended the inning still ahead 2-0.
Grace Gressly led off the third inning for Belmont with a single up the middle. Blume went on to record another RBI extending the Bruins' lead to 3-0. Johnson tallied two more strikeouts in the bottom of the third to hold the Beacon scoreless.
Gressly had another impressive at bat in the fourth. The catcher drove in an RBI double to give the Bruins another run. Once again, Johnson threw a strong inning with three strikeouts to maintain the 4-0 Belmont lead.
The Bruins stayed hot and recorded three more runs in the top of the fifth.
Baie Ensio, Ledbetter, and Barnes each added an RBI single in Belmont's explosive fifth inning.
Belmont maintained a 7-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth. Valpo was able to bring in their first run of the game to make the score 7-1 heading into the final inning.
Ensio kick started another impressive inning for the Bruins with a double to right center. Gressly and Ledbetter each added another RBI for the day adding two more runs for Belmont. E. Cockrill later blasted a three-run home run to cap off a dominating performance by the Bruins in game two.
The Bruins were able to bounce back in game two and top the Beacons 12-1.
Up Next
The Bruins and Beacons will wrap up the series on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT. Live stats will be available on belmontbruins.com. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+.
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