TEMPE, Ariz. – The Belmont University Softball Program (5-4, 0-0 MVC) faced Weber State (3-7, 0-0 Big Sky) and co-host Arizona State (6-3, 0-0 Big 12) on day two of the Littlewood Classic. The Bruins topped the Wildcats 12-8 before battling with the Sun Devils to claim a 5-1 victory in extra innings. Belmont's win over ASU marks their first power-four win of the season.
vs Weber State (12-8)
Baie Ensio led the Bruins off with a single to start the game.
Emily Cockrill followed with a single of her own to put runners on first and second. A fielder's choice left the bases loaded for Belmont.
Lauren Luciani and
Grace Gressly each added an RBI to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead after the first.
The Bruins forced the Wildcats to a three up, three down second inning. Belmont recorded two more runs in the bottom of the second after
Nicole Hughes and Luciani each recorded an RBI single.
Weber State closed the gap after tallying three runs in the top of the third. Despite the lead dwindling to one, Belmont quickly responded with eight runs in the bottom of the third. The Bruins' run was sparked by
Brenna Blume's second home run of the season. Hughes also added in a 2 RBI double.
Neither team was able to bring in a run in the fourth leaving the score at 12-4 heading into the fifth.
The Wildcats added a run in the top of the fifth to avoid a run rule decision.
Weber State later recorded two more runs to bring the game within four. The Bruins were able to settle back into the game and end the Wildcat's come back attempt to claim a 12-8 win.
vs Arizona State (5-1, 8 inn.)
A Sun Devil error got the Bruins on base to start the game. Belmont was unable to bring the runner home leaving the score at 0-0 heading into the second.
Belmont recovered from an error in the bottom of second to keep the game scoreless.
Maya Johnson recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the third. The game remained knotted at 0-0 heading into the fourth.
In the top of the fourth, E. Cockrill added a single up the middle before ASU walked
Rylee Spindler to put two Bruins on base. Despite the movement on the bases, Belmont was unable to record a run. The Sun Devils ended the scoring drought with a home run to take a 0-1 lead after the fourth.
Johnson added another pair of strikeouts in the fifth leaving the score at 0-1 heading into the sixth.
The Bruins responded with a run in the top of the sixth off an RBI single from E. Cockrill. Belmont's run evened the score at 1-1.
Both teams saw a three up, three down inning in the seventh to force extra innings.
Belmont broke the game open in the top of the eighth with four runs to take the lead. The Bruins' run featured an RBI double from Hughes. After two-straight strikeouts from Johnson, the Bruins held off the Sun Devils to secure a 5-1 win.
Belmont will conclude tournament play against no. 21 Oregon on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT. Livestats will be available on belmontbruins.com.
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