CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Both games of Bellarmine University softball team's match up with Lee University ended in the fifth inning of play on Saturday. The Knights shut out the Lady Flames in game one, winning 8-0, with
Ally Foster pitching a one-hitter. The second game had the opposite outcome, with the Knights falling 11-3.
Game 1: BU 8, LU 0 (
BOX SCORE)
The Knights controlled the first game, tallying six of their eight runs in the top of the third inning. Foster was credited with the win, allowing only one Lady Flame, Macy Stovall, to get a hit.
Bellarmine started the scoring in the top of the first when
Kelly Ely doubled down the left field line, scoring
Rachel Fox and Foster to put the Knights up 2-0.
In the top of the third,
Katie Stamper singled the ball into left field, driving in
Tabby Shewmaker for a run. The Knights continued to hit the ball to the left and capitalized on four Lee errors, including three on the left fielder, to plate five more runs in the inning.
Bellarmine's offense was led by
Marlee Tevis, who went 3-for-4. The Knights connected with the ball for a total of 12 hits with
Erica Knollman, Stamper, Fox and Ely each collecting two base hits.
Game 2: BU 3, LU 11 (
BOX SCORE)
NiaRaye Ceaser put Lee on the board in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer. The Lady Flames added two more runs in the bottom of the second to extend the lead 4-0.
The Knights scored in the third inning when Foster hit a solo home run to put Bellarmine on the scoreboard. But the Lady Flames answered back with a two-run fourth inning to extend the lead 6-1.
Fox doubled in the top of the fifth with bases loaded, scoring
Olivia Russell and Foster, but Stamper was cut down at the plate. This put the Knights within three runs of LU.
But the home half of the fifth would spell the end of the game, where the Lady Flames earned five more runs.
The Knights tallied only three hits, Foster with two and Fox with one.
Tevis was saddled with the loss in the circle.
Bellarmine will play again Saturday Feb. 6 in the home opener against the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers. The doubleheader will begin at noon at Knights Field.