STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Belmont Softball team delivered a statement performance on day one of the Bulldog Invitational, earning a dominant 14-1, five-inning win over the Delaware State Hornets before edging No. 18 Mississippi State Bulldogs, 1-0, Friday afternoon in Starkville. The victory over Mississippi State marked Belmont's second top-25 SEC win of the season.
VS Delaware State Hornets (14-1, 5 innings)
Belmont came out firing to open the tournament, putting together a complete performance at the plate and in the circle. The Bruins struck first in the opening inning when Lizzie Ozim singled to left to bring home Emily Konz.
The Bruins followed with five runs in the third inning. Brenna Blume delivered a double to left center to plate three runs, followed shortly after by Madison Dolecki's two-run homer to left field to push the lead to 6-0.
The Bruins kept the pressure on in the fourth, scoring eight runs on six hits and two Delaware State errors. RBI singles from Nicole Hughes, Ozim, Lydia Vanderwoude, and Dolecki highlighted the frame, while Addison Swink recorded her first career hit with a double that resulted in three unearned runs.
In the circle, Mackenzie Willis tossed five innings while allowing just one hit and one run, walking two and striking out 10 to secure the run-rule victory.
VS No. 18 Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0)
Belmont continued the momentum against the host Bulldogs. Both teams were locked in a scoreless battle through five innings as Maya Johnson controlled the game from the circle.
The Bruins finally broke through in the top of the sixth. Madison Dolecki singled to second base to drive in the game's only run, giving Belmont a 1-0 lead.
Johnson threq a complete-game shutout with 13 strikeouts while allowing just one hit over seven innings. She improved to 5-0 on the season, tossing 103 pitches in the win. Dolecki led the offense with two hits and the game-winning RBI.
The win marked Belmont's third SEC victory of all time and its second win over Mississippi State since a 4-3 win on Feb. 13, 2013.
Up Next
Belmont continues play at the Bulldog Invitational on Saturday with a rematch against Samford at 10 a.m. CT, followed by another meeting with host Mississippi State at 12:30 p.m. CT. Live stats for both games will be available on belmontbruins.com, with the game against Mississippi State streamed on SEC Network+.
Follow Belmont Softball on social media – @BelmontSoftball on Twitter, @belmontsoftball on Instagram, and Belmont Bruins Softball on Facebook – for complete coverage of the Bruins.
