NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont University Softball struggled to find an offensive rhythm in its doubleheader on Saturday to top OVC-leading Southeast Missouri State. The Bruins (6-11, 2-6 OVC) fell, 8-2, in game one before being shutout in the nightcap, 6-0, by the Redhawks (9-10, 7-1 OVC) at Rose Park.
In the opening game, the first inning was quiet for both teams. SEMO was first to post a run, doing so in the top of second inning, taking advantage of a Bruin fielding error. BU bounced back in its half of the same frame, knotting the game behind a solo homerun by sophomore Lauren Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.), her first of the season.
The Redhawks responded in the top of the third, plating three runs to take a 4-1 lead. The score remained unchanged over the next 2.5 innings before Belmont was able to cut the run differential in half. Junior Audrey Lyle (Westklake, Ohio) reached on four balls and was quickly sent over the plate, thanks to a deep double to left by senior Elison Ollinger (Robins, Iowa). However, that would be as close as BU would get as the visitors went on to add four more runs in the top of the seventh frame to take the contest, 8-2.
The nightcap was all SEMO, thanks to strong pitching from Rachel Rook. She helped hold the Bruins hitless through the bottom of third until sophomore Kailey Brown (San Antonio, Texas) smashed a double to left. BU was unable to cut into the growing Redhawk lead down the stretch, falling 6-0, marking the first time since opening weekend they were unable to score a run.
For the day, sophomore MyKayla Spurlin (Madisonville, Ky.) went 3-for-5, batting .600 to lead BU offensively.
Inside the circle, four Bruins - seniors Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) and Autumn McDanel (Moravia, Iowa), Brown and freshman Alex Clesi (Mandeville, La.) - saw action, combining for nine strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday afternoon for the series finale with SEMO. First pitch of the single game is set for 1 p.m. Live stats will be available. Fans may also follow the team's Twitter account (@BelmontSoftball) for live, in-game updates.
