JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Belmont University Softball Program (7-4) faced Southern Indiana (2-6) and Southern Mississippi (4-7) on day two of the Cocky Classic. The Bruins finished the day 2-0 with wins over the Screaming Eagles and Golden Eagles.
Game 1 vs USI (12-4) (5 inn.)
Southern Indiana was the first on the board until Belmont stepped up to the plate in the top of the second.
Emily Cockrill singled to left field followed by a walk for
Grace Gressly. With runners on first and second, E. Cockrill stole third to put the Bruins in scoring position.
Savannah Halterman entered the game to pinch run for Gressly. Halterman later stole third while E. Cockrill stole home to tie the game at 1-1.
The Screaming Eagles went three up, three down in the bottom of the second. The Bruins' bats started to get hot in the top of the third.
Nicole Hughes added a single in her second at bat of the game. Gressly later reentered the game and recorded an RBI single. Gressly then stole second while Hughes went on to steal home and add another run for the Bruins. With an error by the USI outfield, Gressly eventually crossed home.
Indy Cockrill entered the batter's box and hit a 2 RBI double to extend Belmont's lead to 6-1.
USI responded with a run in the bottom of the third. The Bruins went into the top of the fourth with a 6-2 lead. Belmont continued their strong offense in the fourth as
Ella Bertucci and Hughes hit singles followed by a 2 RBI double by Gressly.
Power hitter Hughes stepped up to bat in the top of the fifth and hit an absolute missile for a grand slam. Hughes' grand slam gave the Bruins a huge 12-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The Screaming Eagles put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth in hopes to avoid a run rule. Belmont's defense picked it up and recorded the final three outs to secure a 12-4 five inning win to start the day.
Game 2 vs Southern Miss (5-3)
Both teams went three up, three down in the first inning. Belmont was the first to get things going in the bottom of the second.
Kylie Cunningham doubled to center for a 2 RBI double giving the Bruins a 2-0 lead heading into the third.
The Golden Eagles countered with a run of their own in the top of the third. Hughes came up with another big swing for the Bruins with an RBI single. E. Cockrill later added a sac bunt that would bring Hughes home.
Belmont held a 4-1 lead heading into the top of the fifth. Southern Miss hit a home run to cut the Bruins' lead to 4-2. E. Cockrill responded with an RBI single for Belmont in the bottom of the fifth.
The Bruins headed into the seventh inning with a 5-2 lead. The Golden Eagles brought in a run in the top of the seventh, but Belmont escaped the inning and game on top 5-3.
Up Next
Belmont will face host Jacksonville State at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The final game of the weekend will be streamed on ESPN+.
Cocky Classic
Friday: vs Samford (10 am)
Saturday: vs Southern Indiana (12:30 pm) / vs Southern Mississippi (3 pm)
Sunday: vs Jacksonville State (3 pm)
Follow Along: Live stats can be found on belmontbruins.com. Sunday's game versus JSU will be streamed on ESPN+.
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