NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball Program (24-9, 8-2 MVC) opened the weekend in a doubleheader against Southern Illinois (17-15, 9-1 MVC) on Friday. The Bruins fell 3-10 in game one before bouncing back to take game two 5-0.
Game 1 (3-10)
SIU threatened with two runners on base in the top of the first.
Ellie Giles got the start in the circle for game one and eventually delivered a strikeout to give the Bruins' their third out leaving the Salukis scoreless.
Belmont's offense heated up in the bottom of the first.
Baie Ensio led off the inning with a single.
Rylee Spindler later added an RBI single to left to put the Bruins on the board.
Emily Cockrill eventually recorded an RBI sacrifice fly to put Belmont up 2-0 heading into the second.
The Salukis cut the Bruins' lead by one after adding a run in the second.
Ensio added another single in the top of the third.
Nicole Hughes later reached on a fielder's choice as Ensio advanced to third base. Despite having a runner in scoring position, the Bruins were unable to record a run leaving the score at 2-1 heading into the fourth.
SIU's Erin Lee recorded a 3 RBI home run to take the lead at 2-4 heading into the fifth.
The Salukis went on to add two more runs in the fifth.
SIU continued to swing big as they tallied three home runs in the top of the sixth.
Grace Gressly recorded an RBI double in the bottom of the inning to make the score 3-9 after six.
Belmont eventually fell 3-10 in game one.
Game 2 (5-0)
The Bruins bounced back early in game two. Ensio once again led off the first with a single through the left side. Hughes later added a single before E. Cockrill recorded an RBI to put Belmont up 1-0 after the first.
In the bottom of the second,
Indy Cockrill built off the early momentum with a home run to left field. The senior's home run marks her first of the season. The Bruins headed into the third up 2-0.
In typical fashion,
Maya Johnson struck out three-straight batters in the top of the third to hold the Salukis scoreless through three.
Both teams faced a one-two-three inning in the fourth.
Belmont's offense broke the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth.
Lauren Luciani led off the inning with a single followed by another single from Ensio. The Salukis later walked Hughes to leave the bases loaded with Bruins. E. Cockrill continued to have an impressive day at the plate as she drove in a 3 RBI double. The Bruins went up 5-0 heading into the sixth.
Johnson would add two more strikeouts in the final two innings to make 13 on the day as Belmont claimed a 5-0 win in game two.
Up Next
The Bruins will look to take the series in the weekend finale on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com or watch live on ESPN+.
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