LOUISVILLE, Ky.--- The Bellarmine University softball team split a doubleheader with the visiting Carson-Newman Eagles on Sunday as they won the opening game 2-0 before falling 5-4 in the second game.

Bellarmine (1-1) used a two run second inning to distance themselves from the Eagles as junior Jordan Basham scored the first run of the game on a Cynthia Brown single. Sophomore Casey Cleary would knock in Casey Willard on the next play to take the 2-0 lead.

Willard also pitched the complete game shutout for the Knights as she allowed four hits over the seven inning game and striking out five.

Carson Newman (1-1), a team that made it all the way to the NCAA Sub-Regionals last year, did not go down with a fight. The Eagles had the bases loaded in the seventh with just one out to put pressure on the Knights. Willard would force a slow grounder to get a runner out at home for the first out before getting Mary Shealy, a preseason All-SAC 1st team selection, to line out to Angel Zimmerman.

The Eagles would threaten again in the seventh inning but Willard put the Eagles away as she struck out Ashley Tharp looking to end the game.

Willard (1-0) picked up the win, while Mary Shealy (0-1) got the loss for the Eagles.

Box Score Game 1

The Eagles drew first in the second game as Bri Shoemake had a RBI single to left field to put the visitors up 1-0. Carson-Newman would tack on another run in the top of the fifth to take a 2-0 lead.

Bellarmine would get one back as Stephanie Albertson snuck under a tag at home plate off a Taber Lewis single in the bottom of the fifth.

The Eagles opened things up in the next inning as they scored three runs in the sixth, two off solo homeruns.

Down 5-1 with their backs against the wall, the Knights made a furious comeback in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded, freshman Caley Melton stepped up to the plate and hit a two run double down the right field line. The Knights would pull within one as Zimmerman would score on a Erin Sireno sac fly.

With a runner on third and down one, junior Lauren Summe came up to the plate. Hitting a line drive to the third baseman, Summe was barely called out at first to end the game.

The Knights will return to action next weekend as they travel to Mars Hill College for a doubleheader on Saturday, first pitch is scheduled for noon.

Box Score Game 2