DES MOINES, Iowa – The Belmont University Softball program (39-14) took a 7-5 win over Northern Iowa (32-18) in an all-out battle during the MVC Tournament Semifinal Friday evening.
How it Happened
UNI jumped out to an early 1-0 lead off a home run in the first.
Maya Johnson sat three-straight batters in the top of the second. The Bruins eventually took the lead in the bottom of the second after plating two runs. The runs came courtesy of an RBI single from
Emily Cockrill and an RBI sacrifice fly by
Madison Dolecki.
In the third, Johnson continued to have an impressive game in the circle as she caught three-straight batters swinging.
Brenna Blume had a key at bat for Belmont driving in a 3 RBI double to right center. The Bruins extended the lead to 5-1 heading into the fourth.
The Panthers added a pair of runs in the top of the fourth before the Bruins would add yet another run in the bottom of the inning.
Nicole Hughes' home run kept Belmont ahead at 6-3 after four innings of play.
Blume continued to lead Belmont at the plate as she added an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to give the Bruins a four-point lead.
UNI wouldn't go out without a fight. The Panthers recorded a two-run home run in the sixth to close the gap at 7-5 heading into the final inning.
The Bruins remained composed to collect the final three outs in the seventh to secure the win.
With Friday's win, Belmont will head to their first MVC title game since joining the conference.
Up Next
The Bruins will face no. 1 Southern Illinois in the MVC Tournament Championship on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. Follow live stats on belmontbruins.com or watch live on ESPN+.
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