GREENEVILLE, Tenn.---Behind a huge day from Megan Murdoch, the Bellarmine University(4-2) softball team split a doubleheader at Tusculum College on Sunday winning 14-1 in the second game after losing 3-4 in the opener.

The sophomore shortstop from Indianapolis went 6-7 from the plate with nine RBI's, two runs, and two home runs on the day.

Game 1
Bellarmine had a chance to draw first, but could not capitalize as junior Lauren Summe was thrown out trying to score from second base off a Murdoch hit down the left field line to end the top of the first.

The Knights then fell victim to a big first inning by the home team as the Pioneers shelled starting pitcher Casey Willard for four runs to take the early lead. Three runs came in as Tusculum's Ashley Burke hit a double to left field with the bases loaded to gain the early momentum. Willard would settle down though as she would only give up one hit the rest of the game.

Bellarmine would attempt a rally in the sixth inning as Caley Melton would start things off with a triple to centerfield, later scoring on a Summe single to get the Knights on the board. Coach Rene Hicks would bring in Casey Cleary to pinch run for Summe, which paid off as Cleary scored from first on a Murdoch double.

The Knights would draw within one later in the inning as Katelyn Bickett would come home after an Erin Sireno sacrifice.

That's as close as Bellarmine would get as the Pioneers' Elizabeth Johnson (3-0) would strike out two Knights to finish the game and pick up the win. Willard (2-1) would get the loss, her first of the year.

Box Score

Game 2
Murdoch continued to have a hot bat in the second game as she put the Knights up 1-0 after getting an RBI double to left field in the first.

The Knights would add a pair of runs in the second and the third inning as Stephanie Albertson brought home a run in the second and Cynthia Brown scored on a wild pitch in the third.

Bellarmine blew the game open in a five run fourth inning that started when Cleary had a two run double the brought home Melton and Albertson. After a single by Summe, Murdoch stepped up and crushed her first home run of the game, and second in as many days to push the lead to 8-0. All five runs were scored with two outs in the inning.

When Tusculum scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, the Knights again lit the scoreboard up with a six run sixth inning starting with a two run double by Madi Ratliff to take a 10-1.

After a walk to Summe loaded the bases, Murdoch again hit an uncatchable ball as she knocked a grand slam over the right field wall to tally her second homer and eighth RBI of the game.

Junior Amanda Meyer (2-1) pitched a stellar game as well giving up only one run in five innings of work, striking out seven. She picked up the win in the shortened game as Erin Searcy (0-4) was hit with the loss.

Box Score

The Knights will now have some time off as they will not play again until Feb. 22 when they host Georgetown (Ky.) College for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.