NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It was truly a doubleheader comprised to two vastly different games on Saturday at Rose Park. Belmont Softball (26-9, 3-3 OVC) went on to split in dramatic fashion with visiting Eastern Kentucky (14-18, 3-2 OVC), coming away with a 7-0 shutout in game one before falling 14-3 in the nightcap.
The win in game one marked career victory No. 275 for first year Bruin coach Brian Levin.
Game one was all Belmont. The Bruins looked like they were on their way to no-hitter after posting consecutive two-run innings to open the game. Even with allowing a hit in the top of the third, the Colonels had no answer for freshman Brooklin Lee's (Burns, Tenn.) heat inside the circle.
BU added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth behind a doubles by seniors Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) that sandwiched a single by junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.). Junior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) knocked a double to the centerfield fence that pushed two over the plate that expanded Belmont's lead to 7-0. BU was able to carry that lead to the finish line to secure the program's third win over EKU.
The second game was the exact converse for BU. The Colonels exploded in the top of the first frame, plating three runs propelled by three doubles and a single. Even with a Belmont pitching change, EKU used another single to add a fourth run. Eastern Kentucky expanded its lead to 5-0 in the top of the second inning fueled by a pair of steals by Krislyn Campos.
The Bruins were finally able to begin chipping away at the EKU lead in the bottom of the third frame. Freshman Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) sent a hard single to the second baseman before Deloney sent a long single down the left line to move into scoring position. Andree unleashed a double to right that cleared the bases for BU's first two runs of the contest. Unfortunately, the Colonels had another offensive explosion in the top of fourth, netting a whopping four runs before an out was logged. BU dug in for two more pitchers but two more runs were scored, putting Eastern Kentucky on top, 11-2.
Belmont put together a final effort to rally in the bottom of the fourth but was only able to add one more run, thanks to a solo home run by sophomore Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.). EKU was not finished with scoring, adding three more runs in the top of the fifth, jumping out to an 11-run advantage. BU got a runner on base in its half of the frame but was unable to get her home and fell 14-3.
For the day, Deloney went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a double, despite three hit by pitches. Sims went 3-for-6 with a run scored.
Inside the circle, five different Bruins saw time. Lee went the distance in game one for the win with a total of seven strikeouts. The nightcap saw four different pitchers in the effort.
Belmont returns to action on Wednesday, April 5 at Rose Park. The Bruins host in-state rival Middle Tennessee State for a single game beginning at 5 p.m. The contest will have live stats available and can be seen on the OVC Digital Network.
