TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Belmont University Softball program (41-16) claimed a 2-1 win over Jackson State (29-25) to begin day two of the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Bruins' win marks their first NCAA Tournament win in program history.
With their win over JSU, Belmont advanced to the final game of the elimination bracket where they faced Virginia Tech (43-12). The Bruins fell 11-1 in six innings to the Hokies.
Game One
Belmont headed into game one of the elimination bracket with their season on the line but pulled away with a gritty win to survive and advance.
Ellie Giles got the start for the Bruins in the circle and caught two batters swinging in the top of the first.
Rylee Spindler got the Belmont offense going with a triple to left.
Nicole Hughes followed with an RBI single to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead heading into the second.
Jackson State responded with a run to even the score at 1-1 after two.
Spindler added another hit in the bottom of the third but was unable to reach home. The Bruins and Tigers remained tied heading into the fourth.
Neither team could plate a run in the fourth or fifth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Grace Gressly gained momentum for the Bruin offense with a double to left center. JSU then walked
Emma Barnes leaving two runners on base for Belmont.
Brenna Blume later drove in a huge RBI single to give the Bruins an edge at 2-1 heading into the final inning.
The Tigers threatened with bases loaded in the seventh. Pitcher
Mackenzie Willis and Belmont's defense regrouped to collect the final out securing the win.
Game Two
Virginia Tech quickly took a two-point lead in the first and extended the lead to 3-0 after recording a home run in the second.
Maya Johnson forced the Hokies to a one-two-three inning in the third after catching all three batters swinging.
Baie Ensio and Spindler recorded the first hits of the game for Belmont in the bottom of the third. The Bruins were unable to bring either runner home leaving the score at 3-0 heading into the fourth.
Both teams saw a scoreless fourth inning.
The Hokies added two more runs in the fifth to go up 5-0.
In the top of the sixth, Virginia Tech recorded six more runs.
Belmont was able to bring in a run off a wild pitch from Tech. The Bruins ultimately fell 11-1 in six innings against the Hokies.
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