Aces look to break through in Sunday’s finale
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s pitching was the story on Saturday as the Bruins swept a doubleheader against the University of Evansville softball team. After opening with a 3-0 win, Belmont took the second game, 7-1.
Game 1 – Belmont 3, UE 0
Bruins pitcher Emma Summers allowed three hits in a complete-game, 7-inning performance to open play on Saturday. In the top of the first, Jess Willsey picked up a 2-out single for the Purple Aces’ first baserunner of the day, however, it was the Bruins plating the first run in the bottom of the second.
Evansville did not have another baserunner until the fifth when Hannah Hood reached on an error. The biggest threat of the day came in the sixth when Zoe Frossard and Willsey reached on 2-out hits before a strikeout ended the frame. BU added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and would take the 3-0 win.
Sydney Weatherford was solid in the circle, scattering three runs on six hits in six innings of work. Willsey had two of the Aces three hits.
Game 2- Belmont 7, UE 1
A close battle throughout most of the game, Belmont plated five runs in the bottom of the sixth to clinch a 7-1 victory in the second end of the doubleheader. Belmont once again opened the scoring with a single run in the bottom half of the first.
UE made its first threat in the second when Hannah Hood walked and Brooke Voss followed with a single. The persistence paid off in the fourth when the Aces tied the game. Jess Willsey hit a leadoff single before advancing to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Voss laced a double to right field, which scored Willsey.
The Bruins stormed back with a swingle run in the bottom of the inning before a 5-spot in the 6th pushed the lead to 7-1. Singles by Alexa Davis and Zoe Frossard in the top of the 5th saw UE attempt to tie it up before the big finish by the Bruins clinched the win.
Megan Brenton went 5 1/3 innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. Mikayla Jolly recorded the final two outs. UE had six hits in the game with Voss recording two. Belmont’s offense was led by Emily Cockrill, who went 3-4 with two RBI and a run. Maya Johnson threw the complete game in the circle to earn the win for the Bruins. She fanned 11 batters.
Sunday’s series finale is slated for a 12 p.m. first pitch.
