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Box Score 2 OXFORD, Ala. – Belmont University Softball has claimed their ticket into the 2022 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Final against Murray State. The Bruins posted two 1 run games to secure their spot, falling 1-0 to Murray State but eliminated Southeast Missouri 3-2 in the final matchup of the day.
This will be the Bruins first appearance in the OVC tournament finals in program history. First pitch is set to go out at 11 a.m.
Game One:
The Bruins fought hard in the 1-0 pitchers duel against Murray State. Falling short by a single home run by the Racers in the fourth to take the lead.
Belmont had a fantastic defensive game against the Racers. Emma Summers pitched her sixteenth complete game of the season, one of her best performances at that. Summers posted five strikeouts against some of the best Murray State hitters allowing only four hits.
Ellison Ollinger was the first to get on base for the Bruins in the top of the second with a single right up the middle. Emma Barnes followed with her own single, a fielder's choice called Ollinger out, Barnes was left on when the inning ended. To get the momentum back Summers struck out three batters swinging in the second, the Summers Special.
Cavanaugh ranked sixth in the nation in batting average, singled but was caught stealing for the second time all season. She is now 29-31 in stolen bases on the season.
Logan Braundmier posted a double in the third with two outs and was left on by a flyout to finish the inning.
Sierra Gilmore opened up the fourth with a solo home run to take the lead over the Bruins.
Ledbetter with a hard hit to center field to start the fourth was robbed of her base by the center fielder. Another fly out for Ollinger started the fifth.
The Bruins were unable to comeback from the 1-0 deficit but played a fantastic defensive game to hold the Racers to one run. Tomorrow's matchup is sure to be a good one.
Game Two:
Belmont played a fantastic game against the Redhawks to take the bid into the OVC Championship, the first ever in Belmont history.
The Redhawks went up early 2-0 in the first over the Bruins. A fielding error scored the first run for SEMO. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner followed by a walk and a fielder's choice to third. Chelsy Pena sent out a single to score a Redhawk, their final scoring play of the matchup
The Bruins countered quickly in the second, Emily Cockrill started the Bruins off with a single up the middle. Ollinger reached on a fielder's choice, getting Cockrill out at second base. Emma Barnes singled to put two on for an Audrey Lyle deep single to left field. Ollinger's speed brought her home from second. A single from Killian Roberts and an obstruction play at the plate gave Emma Barnes a run to her name. A draw 2-2 to end the second.
The Bruins successfully held the Redhawks to their two runs for the remainder of the game while only allowing three additional hits. Pitcher Alicia Veltri put on a show in the circle today, pitching six innings with four strikeouts to keep the Bruins in the game.
Emily Cockrill also played fiercely at third base and offensively. A double slapped to the fence grazing the left field line, a jumping foul ball putout, and three other putouts equaled an impressive day for the freshman.
Bottom of the fifth the Bruins got to work. Smart at the plate Baie Ensio walked followed by none other than a Cavanaugh single. Kristen Green also walked, leaving the bases loaded for Abi Ledbetter. The Bruins scored the game winning run on Ledbetters tactical walk to first. Belmont hoped to score another on a fly out from Emily Cockrill but Cavanaugh was called out for leaving the base early.
The Bruins were unable to extend their lead in the sixth but this did not matter as Emma Summers closed out the game for the Bruins. A fly out to Baie Ensio sent the Bruins into the Championship game, a moment they will never forget.
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