MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite keeping their bats warm from the previous day, the Belmont softball team (6-6) was edged in its final two games of University of Memphis' Blues City Classic on Sunday. The Bruins were held off by Nicholls State, 3-2, before falling to Samford, 5-4.
Nicholls State jumped out to an early 3-0 lead at the bottom of the first inning. The Bruins remained in a deficit until the top of third where they were able to narrow the gap to one run. Sophomore Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Texas) smacked her eighth double of the season to get things started for BU. Classmate Kirbie Ferrell (Pasadena, Texas) followed with one of her own to send Hollingsworth home. Junior Kim Johnson (Tucson, Ariz.) knocked a triple to left field, tallying Belmont's second run of the inning.
The teams fell into a back and forth battle for the remainder of the innings but neither was able to add a run to its tally. BU came close in the fourth inning when sophomore Heather Turner (Rosenburg, Texas) smashed a triple but she was stranded and unable to cross the plate as Belmont was held off, 3-2.
BU struck first in its second game of the day, a matchup with Samford. The Bruins tallied three runs in the top of the second inning. Senior Becca Gift (Durham, N.C.) reached on a walk and Turner doubled to left to put two runners in scoring position. A single by Johnson scored Gift and kept two in scoring position. Junior Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) was hit by a pitch, loading the bases and opening the door for freshman Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Texas) to collect two RBI on her single to centerfield.
Belmont carried its 3-0 advantage into the top of the fifth, when it added one more to its tally. Junior Mia Vierra (Palmdale, Calif.) doubled up the middle. Gift was up next and used well placed bunt to reach base. Quick footed Vierra hustled around the bases to score on an ill-timed throw, putting the Bruins on top, 4-0. Samford fired back in the same inning, scoring four runs to knot the score. Neither team was able to break the stalemate in the sixth inning. Despite another single by Vierra, BU was unable to send her over the plate in the top of the seventh. Samford rallied in the seventh to break the stalemate and went on to narrowly take the game, 5-4.
For the day, Johnson, Hollingsworth and Gift batted .500. Turner recorded two triples, while Johnson and Wilson finished with a pair of RBI.
For her efforts during the tournament, Hollingsworth was named to the Blues City Classic All-Tournament First Team.
Inside the circle, freshmen Carolyn Snodgress (Torrance, Calif.) and Taylor Moon (Vestavia, Ala.) tossed six innings each. Snodgress finished with four strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Thursday, February 28 at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins host UTEP for a doubleheader slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. The games can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network and live stats will be available. A live Twitter feed (@BelmontSoftball) will also be available.
