BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Belmont University Softball Program (9-5, 0-0 MVC) started the day with a win over Big Ten member Purdue (7-6, 0-0 B1G). The Bruins then faced host UAB (7-4, 0-0 American) where they topped the Blazers 11-8.
vs Purdue (2-0, 8 inn.)
Baie Ensio led off the game for the Bruins with a single to center. Purdue was able to hold the Belmont runner on base leaving the score at zeros after the first inning.
The game proved to be a defensive battle early. Both teams saw a three up, three down inning in the second.
Belmont got some offensive momentum going in the third as Brenna Blume doubled to left center. Maddy Balsiger would then reach first on a fielder’s choice. The Boilermakers later walked Rylee Spindler leaving the bases loaded with Bruins. Despite being in scoring position, Belmont was unable to bring in a run. Maya Johnson recorded two quick strikeouts in the bottom of the third before Purdue started to heat up offensively. With bases loaded, Johnson struck out the Purdue batter to get out of the jam and leave the score knotted at 0-0.
The fourth and fifth were quick one-two-three innings for both teams.
Emily Cockrill recorded the Bruins’ lone hit in the sixth but was unable to reach home. The game remained locked at zeros heading into the seventh.
Lauren Luciani reached base after added a single in the top of the seventh. The Bruins were unable to bring her home. Johnson stepped into the circle and added two more strikeouts to send the game into extra innings.
Similar to the beginning of the game, Ensio recorded a single to get the Bruins going. Nicole Hughes later added an RBI to put the first run of the game on the board. E. Cockrill drove in an RBI sacrifice fly to give Belmont a two-point edge heading into the bottom of the eighth. The Bruin defense didn’t let up to keep the Boilermakers scoreless securing a 2-0 win.
vs UAB (11-8)
The Bruins looked to build off their momentum from game one as they loaded the bases in the top of the first against UAB. Spindler led the way with a single followed by a double from Hughes. Despite the early action, Belmont was unable to bring in a run. UAB would be the first on the board after adding three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Neither team scored in the second or third leaving the score at 0-3 heading into the fourth.
The Bruin bats started rolling in the fourth as they added seven runs. Emma Barnes led off the inning with a double to right. Blume went on to add an RBI single to give Belmont their first run of the game. Maddy Balsiger got in on the action with an RBI double. Spindler later had a huge at bat recording a 2 RBI triple. To bring in the seventh run of the inning, E. Cockrill recorded a 2 RBI triple of her own. The Blazers responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Bruins held on to the new lead 7-5 heading into the fifth.
Belmont’s offense continued to impress with three more runs in the fifth. Hughes recorded an RBI double before E. Cockrill would drive in another RBI. The Bruins led 10-5 after five innings.
Grace Gressly blasted her first home run of the season to extend the Bruins’ lead at 11-5. UAB added a run in the bottom of the sixth making the score 11-6 heading into the seventh.
UAB made a late attempt to come back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Ellie Giles recorded two straight strikeouts to end the Blazer’s run and secure an 11-8 win for the Bruins.
Belmont rounds out the Green and Gold Classic with a rematch against UAB on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com and watch live on ESPN+.
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