NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball team (21–7, 8–1 MVC) is set to host a midweek doubleheader Tuesday against Murray State at E.S. Rose Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT, with game two to follow at 3:30 p.m. CT.
The Bruins enter the matchup coming off a series sweep over Bradley, highlighted by two shutouts.
Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available on belmontbruins.com.
What's Bruin
- Belmont enters the week 21–7 overall and is coming off a 3–0 series sweep over Bradley, including two shutouts.
- The Bruins recently faced No. 1 Tennessee, holding the Lady Vols to a 1–0 game — their smallest margin of victory during the 2026 season.
- Belmont has already secured two ranked SEC wins this season, defeating No. 15 Georgia and No. 18 Mississippi State — marking the first ranked SEC victories in program history.
- Maya Johnson continues to lead Belmont in the circle. The redshirt senior is 14–1 with 203 strikeouts across 98 innings pitched and is approaching 1,000 career strikeouts. She currently leads the NCAA in total strikeouts, strikeouts per seven innings, and earned run average.
- Johnson was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the sixth consecutive week on March 17.
- She has also earned D1 Softball Pitcher of the Week honors twice and NFCA Pitcher of the Week recognition four times this season, becoming the first Division I athlete to receive the award four times in a single season.
- Johnson was named a preseason Second Team All-American by D1 Softball and Softball America and was tabbed the preseason No. 1 Mid-Major Player by D1 Softball.
- Belmont returns five All-MVC honorees from last season, including Johnson (First Team, Pitcher of the Year), Rylee Spindler (First Team, Freshman of the Year), Nicole Hughes and Maddy Balsiger (Second Team), and Brenna Blume (All-Defensive Team).
- The Bruins were picked first in the 2026 MVC Preseason Poll and have appeared in D1 Softball's Mid-Major Top 25 for six consecutive weeks, most recently ranking No. 7. Johnson and Hughes were named Preseason First Team All-MVC selections, while Spindler, Balsiger, and Blume earned honorable mention honors.
- Sophomore Rylee Spindler made an immediate impact this season, launching a first-inning two-run home run that accounted for the only hit in Belmont's win over No. 15 Georgia.
- Sophomore Madison Dolecki delivered the game-winning RBI in Belmont's win over No. 18 Mississippi State, accounting for the Bruins' lone hit in the victory.
- Freshman Lizzie Ozim was ranked the No. 10 overall hitter in the 64 Analytics Week Five rankings, released March 17.
- Belmont is coming off a historic 2025 campaign, finishing 41–16 overall and 20–7 in MVC play while capturing the MVC Tournament Championship for the first time in program history.
- The Bruins are led by head coach Laura Matthews, now in her sixth season at the helm.
Against the Field
Belmont holds an 8–10 all-time record against Murray State. The Bruins won the most recent matchup in April 2025, an 8–0 shutout over the Racers.
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 app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
