Aces take series opener versus the Bruins
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning, Zoe Frossard singled to left field to bring in Marah Wood for the game-winning run as the Purple Aces defeated Belmont by a 3-2 final inside Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium on Saturday.
Wood went 3-4 with two RBI and a walk in the contest while Frossard and Jenna Nink each recorded hits. Tossing six scoreless innings of relief, Megan Brenton earned her fifth victory of the season. In six frames, she gave up just three hits while striking out nine batters. Sydney Weatherford made the start and gave up two runs, one earned, in five innings.
After both teams picked up a hit in the first, the Bruins broke through with a run in the second on a Kailey Brown triple. A wild pitch with the bases loaded in the third saw them double their lead. Sydney Weatherford got out of the jam without any further damage. In the top of the fifth, Zoe Frossard made an excellent defensive play, making a catch against the left field wall with a runner on base.
Their efforts paid off as the offense found its groove in the bottom of the fifth. Sydney Kalonihea reached on an error to lead off and Jenna Nink followed with a double to left field. With one out, Marah Wood approached the plate and delivered her third hit of the afternoon – a double to the center field wall – to tie the game at 2-2.
Belmont opened the 10th inning by placing their leadoff batters on second and third but Brenton did a masterful job of getting through unscathed. In the 11th, Wood reached with a walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Howe. With two outs, Frossard’s hit to left field sealed the 3-2 victory.
Tomorrow, the Aces and Bruins meet up for a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.
