NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball Program (31-11, 15-4 MVC) claimed a 4-2 series opening win over Valparaiso (17-23, 6-12 MVC) on Thursday.
How it Happened
Neither team was able to plate a run in the first leaving the score knotted at zeros heading into the second.
Maddy Balsiger led off the bottom of the second with a single through the left side.
Lauren Luciani later drove in an RBI double to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead.
Belmont continued to gain offensive momentum in the third.
Rylee Spindler recorded a lead-off double before
Grace Gressly would bring her home with an RBI single. Belmont extended the lead at 2-0 heading into the fourth.
Maya Johnson recorded two-straight strikeouts to hold Valpo scoreless in the fourth. Luciani added another double to get the Bruins going in the bottom of the inning.
Baie Ensio went on to record an RBI single. Belmont would add another run off a Valpo error to leave the score at 4-0 after four.
Both teams saw a scoreless fifth inning to keep the Bruins ahead by four.
Valpo added two runs in the top of the sixth to cut into Belmont's lead. Johnson worked her way out of a bases loaded jam with back-to-back strikeouts to keep the Bruins ahead 4-2 heading into the final inning.
The Bruins forced the Beacons to a three up, three down seventh inning to secure a 4-2 win in game one of the weekend series.
Up Next
The Bruins and Beacons will continue series play on Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com or watch live on ESPN+.
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