Softball Sweeps Day One of Series with Evansville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball team (17–7, 4–1) picked up two more wins in Missouri Valley Conference play Friday, sweeping a doubleheader against the University of Evansville Purple Aces at E.S. Rose Park. Belmont took game one 3–0 behind Johnson's pitching performance before dominating offensively for an 11–3 victory in the second game.  

VS Evansville – Game 1 (3–0) 

Belmont scored first in the opening inning when Madison Dolecki grounded out to second base to bring home Lydia Vanderwoude, giving the Bruins a 1–0 lead. 

The Bruins added two more runs in the fifth. Dolecki delivered again with an RBI single to score Rylee Spindler, and Emily Konz followed with a bases-loaded walk that allowed Nicole Hughes to cross the plate. 

In the circle, Maya Johnson delivered a dominant performance, tossing a complete-game shutout while striking out 19 batters. Johnson allowed just one hit and four walks over seven innings to improve to 11–1 on the season. 

On the bases, Belmont continued its aggressive approach with stolen bases from Vanderwoude, Tallulah Eichholz, and Hughes. 

VS Evansville – Game 2 (11–3) 

Evansville came out with a run in the top of the first, but Belmont quickly answered. Lydia Vanderwoude tied the game with a solo home run before Maddy Balsiger followed with an RBI single to give the Bruins a 2–1 lead. 

Belmont continued to build momentum in the second when Lizzie Ozim launched a two-run home run to center field, extending the lead to 4–1. 

The Bruins broke the game open in the third inning. Ozim tripled to left field to drive in two runs before Anna Caskey added an RBI single to push the margin to 7–1. 

Evansville added two runs in the fourth, but Belmont responded again in the fifth when Ozim crushed her second home run of the game, a three-run shot that highlighted a career-high seven RBI performance. Balsiger capped the scoring with a solo home run in the sixth as the Bruins secured the 11–3 win. 

In the circle, Hannah Leierer earned the win, improving to 3–4 on the season after allowing three runs over four innings. Ellie Giles closed out the final two innings in relief. 
 

Up Next 

Belmont concludes the series against Evansville on Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m. CT at E.S. Rose Park before heading back on the road. 

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