NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball Program (19-7, 3-0 MVC) swept the doubleheader against Drake (7-16, 0-2 MVC) to secure a conference series win. The Bruins topped the Bulldogs 4-2 in game one before claiming a 4-0 win in game two. Friday's wins extend Belmont's winning streak to eight and propel the team to a 3-0 start to the conference season.
Game 1 (4-2)
Ellie Giles got the Bruins started in the circle with two strikeouts in the top of the first
. Not only did Belmont start off strong on defense, but their offense got off to a hot start.
Emma Barnes led off the inning with a double to left center.
Nicole Hughes later drove in an RBI single to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead after the first.
Drake threatened with two runners on base in the top of the second. Giles stayed composed to record her third strikeout keeping the Bulldogs scoreless after two innings.
Belmont broke the game open in the bottom of the third with two more runs. Hughes added another RBI single before
Emily Cockrill would add one of her own. The Bruins went up 3-0 heading into the fourth.
The Bruins extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth off an RBI single from Barnes.
The Bulldogs got two runners on base in the fifth, but
Rayna Cruickshanks came in and quickly recorded two outs to keep the Bruins ahead by four heading into the sixth.
Belmont continued to maintain a four-point lead heading into the final inning. Drake responded with two late runs in the top of the seventh. Despite the Bulldogs attempt to rally, the Bruins went on to claim a 4-2 win in game one.
Game 2 (4-0)
Maya Johnson earned the start in the circle for game two and picked up right where she left off. The pitcher sat two-straight batters in the top of the first as Drake saw a one-two-three inning. Hughes and E. Cockrill each added singles in the bottom of the inning but were unable to reach home leaving the score at zeros heading into the second.
The game seemed to be a defensive battle early as both teams were unable to score through the first four innings.
In the bottom of the fifth,
Brenna Blume led off the Bruins with a single through the left side. Barnes later recorded another RBI single to give Belmont a 1-0 lead heading into the sixth.
Belmont's offense came to life in the bottom of the sixth.
Rylee Spindler got things going with a single before
Grace Gressly brought her home off an RBI single. Blume later added a sacrifice fly to give the Bruins another run. Belmont eventually extended their lead by four after
Madison Dolecki recorded an RBI.
Johnson went on to record three-straight strikeouts in the top of the seventh notching 16 Ks for the day. The Bruins claimed a 4-0 game two win.
Up Next
The Bruins will look to sweep the series in the weekend finale against the Bulldogs on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com or stream live on ESPN+.
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