Softball Secures Series Victory with a Walk-off Home Run

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- Belmont University Softball takes the series over Southern Illinois with a walk off home run from sophomore Emily Cockrill to seal the deal 4-3. 

The Bruins went into today's contest 1-1 against the Salukis looking to capture their first series win of the season. 

"It was a really fun weekend of competitive softball. SIU is a great team, anytime we can take 2 or 3 from a team like that, it's a great win." Said Head Coach Laura Matthews on today's win. 

How it Happened
Emma Summers started the Bruins momentum this afternoon striking out the first two batters she faced. Summers continued her hot streak striking out 5 Salukis in her 5 innings in the circle. 

The Bruins got on the board first in today's contest. Both Kailey Brown and Kaley Varner sent out singles to put two on for the Bruins in the third. A hard slapped double from Nicole Hughes produced 2 runs for the Bruins to go up over the Salukis. 

Southern Illinois quickly countered to tie the game in the fourth on a 2 run home run from Jackie Lis. 

Belmont took back the lead 3-2 in the fourth. Kathryn Flowers and Indy Cockrill started the inning off strong for the Bruins each posting a single. Emma Barnes pinch ran for Flowers and was brought home on Kaley Varner's single to the wall. 

Maya Johnson closed out the game to earn her eleventh win of the season.

The Salukis came back in the seventh to score on Kerrigan Gamm's single to even out the game 3-3. 

First pitch, bottom of the seventh, Emily Cockrill blasts a home run to walk off the game and secure the 4-3 win and series win for the Bruins. 

Up Next: The Bruins will face the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers Wednesday, March 29  in Bowling Green, Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. 

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.