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Box Score 2 ATHENS, Ga. – The Belmont University Softball team opened the 2026 season with a split on day one of the Red and Black Classic, hosted by Georgia in Athens, Ga. The Bruins secured a dominant 9-0 win over Missouri State before falling to Fordham 0-6.
VS Missouri State (9-0)
Belmont wasted no time, plating five runs in the first inning to take early control. Rylee Spindler got things started with an RBI triple to center field, bringing home Nicole Hughes. Maddy Balsiger followed with an RBI single before freshman Lydia VanderWoude delivered a two-run triple to right field. Madison Dolecki capped the scoring with an RBI groundout, giving the Bruins a 5-0 lead after one.
In the circle, redshirt senior Maya Johnson was dominant from the start, striking out the side in the bottom of the first. Johnson went on to pitch a perfect game, tossing seven innings with 15 strikeouts on just 83 pitches to anchor the shutout victory.
The Bruins added to their lead in the fourth as freshman Lizzie Ozim launched her first collegiate home run to left field to make it 6-0.
Belmont closed out the scoring in the seventh inning. Hughes knocked in a run with an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly from Spindler. An additional run crossed on a passed ball, pushing the final margin to 9-0.
Hughes finished the game with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Spindler added two hits, two RBIs, a run scored and a triple. Balsiger recorded two hits and an RBI, while VanderWoude drove in two runs in her collegiate debut. Ozim contributed a home run, two runs scored and an RBI
VS Fordham (0-6)
Belmont was unable to carry its offensive momentum into the second game of the day, falling 0-6 to Fordham.
Hannah Leierer made the start in the circle, allowing one run while striking out four over four innings. Mackenzie Willis followed with 2.1 innings of relief, surrendering five runs and recording four strikeouts. Ellie Giles closed the game with 0.2 innings of work, allowing one run and striking out one.
Despite solid pitching depth, the Bruins were unable to generate enough offense to close the gap in the nightcap.
Up Next
Belmont continues play at the Red and Black Classic on Friday, Feb. 7, with a rematch against Missouri State at 9:30 a.m. CT before facing host Georgia at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game against Georgia will be broadcast live on ESPN/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. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official Belmont Bruins app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
