NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball Program (11-7, 0-0 MVC) opened the weekend series against Maryland (6-9, 0-0 B1G) in a doubleheader on Friday. The Bruins opened the series with a 3-0 win over the Terps before falling 0-8 in five innings in game two.
Belmont's game one win was backed by another impressive outing in the circle for
Maya Johnson. The pitcher threw a complete game tallying 13 strikeouts to tie a season high.
Game 1 (3-0)
Maya Johnson started off hot in the circle after catching three-straight batters swinging in the top of the first. The Bruins got on the board early with a run in the bottom of the first.
Rylee Spindler recorded Belmont's lone hit in the inning as the Bruins went up 1-0 heading into the second.
Neither team could get their offense going in the second leaving the score at 1-0 heading into the third.
Johnson retired three-straight batters in the top of the third. Spindler added an RBI single extending Belmont's lead.
Brenna Blume later recorded an RBI double to put the Bruins up 3-0 after three innings.
Maryland recorded their first hit in the top of the fourth, but the Belmont defense stepped up to maintain a 3-0 lead heading into the fifth.
Nicole Hughes added a single in the fifth but was unable to reach home. The Bruins held on to their three-point lead after the sixth.
Belmont forced Maryland to a three up, three down seventh inning to secure a 3-0 win. The Bruins win over the Terps marks their third power four win and second Big Ten win of the season.
Game 2 (0-8, 5 inn.)
Maryland gained momentum early in the second game. The Terps capitalized on a couple Bruin errors as they took an early 0-3 lead after the first inning.
Belmont's defensive struggles continued as Maryland added two more runs in the second.
Grace Gressly and Blume recorded the first hits of the game for the Bruins but were unable to reach home. The Bruins headed into the third down 0-5.
The Terps would go on to add another run in the top of the third. The Bruins got in scoring position after a single from
Indy Cockrill and a sac bunt by Hughes. Despite the movement on the bases, Belmont was unable to bring in a run leaving the score at 0-6 heading into the fourth.
Maryland continued to take big swings and claim game two 0-8 in five innings.
Belmont will wrap up the series against Maryland on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com.
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