NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont Softball rallied late in its series finale with Southeast Missouri State on Sunday afternoon but it was not enough to bring down one of the top teams in the OVC. The Bruins (6-12, 2-7 OVC) were held off, 8-4, by the Redhawks (10-10, 8-1 OVC).
SEMO was able to post a single run in the top of the first inning but the Bruin defense would not allow another run to get over the plate for the next two frames. The visitors exploded in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on four hits to take a 4-0 lead. BU was able to mitigate damage in the top of the following frame, picking off back-to-back runners attempting to steal second.
In Belmont's half of the fifth, they leapt into action. Senior Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) drove a single up the middle and was joined on base by sophomore MyKayla Spurlin (Madisonville, Ky.), who was walked. A single to left by sophomore Lauren Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) loaded the bases. SEMO changed pitchers with the tying run on base but the Bruins kept coming. A single to left by sophomore Kailey Brown (San Antonio, Texas) scored one run and a sacrifice fly by senior Cheyenne Cavanaugh (Spring, Texas) helped to cut the run differential in half, 4-2.
Not to be outdone, Southeast Missouri State posted four runs in the next inning to go up, 8-2. Belmont rallied again. Lyle smashed a hard double to center and was joined on base by Spurlin, who reached on four balls again. Lauren Veltri sent a single screaming down the right line to add a run. An inattentive pitcher who turned her back to home plate, opened the door for Spurlin to steal home. BU had once again cut the run differential in half, 8-4.
An energized Bruin defense came out for the top of the seventh and succeeding in retiring the batters in order. In Belmont's half of the same frame, the home team hoped to make one finale move. With two outs, sophomore Abi Ledbetter (Livingston, Tenn.) and Lyle recorded back-to-back singles. However, BU was unable to get either over the plate as SEMO held on to take the game, 8-4.
For the day, Lauren Veltri went 2-for-3 at the plate while junior Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Inside the circle, Belmont saw Alicia Veltri, Brown and freshman Alex Clesi (Mandeville, La.) all take a turn. Veltri posted three strikeouts while Clesi fanned one batter.
Belmont returns to action on Wednesday, making the short trip to face off against crosstown rival Tennessee State. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m. Fans can follow the team's Twitter account (@belmontSoftball) for live, in-game updates.
