Softball is set to Compete in their First Conference Midweek Matchup

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- Belmont University Softball is set to take on the Murray State Racers in a midweek tilt Wednesday, March 22. 

The Bruins will face the Racers in three midweek meetings throughout the remainder of the season. 

Belmont holds a 14-10 record moving into the sixth week of the season.

First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Racer Field. Tomorrow's game will be streamed on ESPN+. 

What's Bruin

• The Bruins went 1-1 against the Illinois State Redbirds, the rubber match was canceled due to cold temperatures in the Nashville area
• In the 4-1 win over the Redbirds Maya Johnson earned her 100th strikeout of the season
• Johnson reached this accolade in just 15 appearances in the circle in 69 innings
• Belmont fell 4-2 in the second competitive matchup, the Bruins posted 7 hits on the day 
• Earlier in the week the Bruins fell 10-6 to the Hoosiers in a competitive matchup
• Emily Cockrill posted a .500 batting average after going 5-10 on the week with two doubles, and three RBI for a .700 slugging percentage
• Brenna Blume posted a .400 batting average on the week with four hits for a double, triple, and a homerun for a 1.00 slugging percentage 
• Maya Johnson was named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the week after her debut on Tuesday, February 14 
• The Bruins earned the sixth spot in the preseason poll announced by the Missouri Valley Conference office January 31 
• Belmont finished 33-17 last season finding themselves in the Championship matchup against Murray State

Bruin Numbers 

• Johnson now has 111 strikeouts to her name on the season with a 2.35 ERA and nine victories 
• Baie Ensio, Nicole Hughes, and Brenna Blume have started in each of the 24 games for the Bruins this season 
• Cockrill and Baie Ensio each have 25 hits is to their name 
• Blume and Hughes both post 15 RBI on the season 
• Kristen Green heads the Bruins in batting average (.359) and total bases (31)

Scouting Report

• The Racers hold a 15-12 record after being swept by MVC opponent University of Northern Iowa to start conference play
• Murray State is coming off of a 17-0 loss to the Panthers 
• Jenna Veber also has nine wins to her name with a 2.42 ERA on the season 
• Gracie Osbron has produced 29 hits on the season with 8 doubles and four home runs for a .363 batting average

New Era

• Belmont is entering their first year in the MVC after over a decade in the Ohio Valley Conference
• Belmont joins UIC and Murray State as MVC newcomers. 
• The Bruins have been voted sixth in the MVC preseason poll, receiving one first place vote and 67 voting points from the league coaches
• Valparaiso was picked as the preseason favorite
• Belmont will compete against Indiana State, Murray State, Southern Illinois, UIC, Illinois State, Missouri State, Valparaiso, Evansville, Drake, and Northern Iowa in the MVC

Follow Belmont Softball on social media - @BelmontSoftball on Twitter and @belmontsoftball on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.