CARBONDALE, Ill. – Belmont University Softball (40–11, 21–5 MVC) captured its second straight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon with an 8–1 victory over Murray State University at Charlotte West Stadium.
The championship marks Belmont's second consecutive MVC Tournament title after earning the first tournament championship in program history in 2025. The Bruins continue to add to a historic stretch for the program after also securing their first MVC regular season championship earlier this year.
The Bruins combined dominant pitching with another explosive offensive performance, using a six-run fourth inning to take control of the championship matchup and secure the program's 40th win of the season.
VS Murray State – MVC Tournament Championship (8–1)
Ellie Giles set the tone early in the circle, striking out three batters through the first two innings while helping Belmont build momentum defensively. Murray State broke through first in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff solo home run to take a 1–0 lead.
Belmont immediately responded with its biggest offensive inning of the tournament in the bottom half of the fourth. Madison Dolecki opened the frame with a double down the left field line before Maddy Balsiger reached after being hit by a pitch.
Freshman Tallulah Eichholz delivered the momentum-changing swing of the game with a two-RBI single to right center, scoring both Dolecki and Balsiger to give the Bruins a 2–1 lead. Belmont's offense continued to surge from there. Ella Bertucci worked a walk before Emily Konz drove in two more runs with a double to left center.
Rylee Spindler followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5–1, and Dolecki later added another RBI single through the left side to cap the six-run inning and put Belmont ahead 6–1.
The Bruins added two more insurance runs in the fifth inning. After Balsiger walked and Eichholz singled, Spindler came through again with a two-RBI single through the right side to score both runners and extend Belmont's advantage to 8–1. The RBIs gave Spindler 40 on the season.
In the circle, Maya Johnson entered in relief in the fifth inning and closed out the victory, tossing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn her second save of the season. Giles earned the win after allowing just one run on two hits across four innings while striking out four.
Up Next
Belmont will await its NCAA Regional destination during the NCAA Softball Selection Show on Sunday, May 10 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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