RICHMOND, Ky. -- Belmont Softball dug itself early deficits in both games Saturday as Eastern Kentucky swept the Bruins, 4-3, 4-1, in the first two games of the three-game, weekend series.
Game 1: Eastern Kentucky 4, Belmont 3
Belmont dug a hole to big to overcome in the first game of the doubleheader as Eastern Kentucky jumped out to the early 4-0 lead as the Colonels scored four runs off four hits in the first inning. A pair of errors by the Bruins aided EKU's offensive efforts.
BU's Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Tex.) led off the 2nd inning with a team-leading fifth home run of the season as the junior hit a solo homer to left field to put the Bruins on the scoreboard.
Belmont dented the scoreboard again in the top of the fourth inning when junior Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Tex.) found home plate off a single to left field from freshman catcher Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.).
The Bruins got to within a run in the sixth inning when Ashley Hammer (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) crossed home plate on an infield error by EKU.
That proved to be the end of Belmont's rally as the Bruins went three up, three down in the seventh inning as EKU held on for the slim, 4-3, victory.
Game 2: Eastern Kentucky 4, Belmont 1
In Eastern Kentucky's first-ever home night game, the home team once again got off to a fast start offensively.
The Colonels scored three runs off three hits in the bottom of the third inning and added another run in the fourth inning as EKU once again built an early, 4-0, advantage.
Belmont was held scoreless through the first six innings as the Bruins were held to just one hit.
A lead-off home run by Kat Hollingsworth to start the seventh inning put the Bruins on the scoreboard.
Hollingsworth's third home run of the season proved to be the only scoring opportunity Belmont could muster as EKU went on for the 4-1 victory as the Colonels swept the Bruins on the evening and earned the overall series victory.
Eastern Kentucky (22-14, 10-4 OVC) was led on the mound by right-handed pitcher Leanna Pittsbarger who threw a complete game for the Colonels. The senior allowed a single run and limited Belmont batters to just three hits on the contest.
Hollingsworth led Belmont, accounted for two of Belmont's three hits.
Belmont (11-25, 5-10 OVC) returns to action tomorrow as the Bruins and Colonels wrap up the three-game series with a 1 p.m. CT. contest at Gertrude Hood Field.
