DUNCAN, S.C. – The Bellarmine University softball team staged a comeback late in the fifth inning against the No. 22 North Georgia Nighthawks (14-4), but fell short in extra innings losing 4-3.  But the Knights (10-10) recovered quickly, defeating Queens University of Charlotte (5-8) in a hard-fought battle to the finish 2-1.  
 
Game 1 BU 3, UNG 4 (BOX SCORE HTM)
 
North Georgia put runs on the board first in the bottom of the first when two errors from the Knights put Stephanie Hartness on second base, and a RBI double from Jessica Finch drove her home.  Another double to right center field from the next batter sent Finch home to put the Nighthawks up 2-0.
 
Marlee Tevis immediately answered back, firing one out of the park.  But Courtney Poole, last week's Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week, held the Knights to the lone run until the bottom of the fifth when Tevis drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at two.  
 
The Nighthawks reacted quickly with Meagan May hitting a triple to center field in the bottom of the fifth.  Ally Foster stepped into the circle to relieve Madeline Kurtz, but a Bellarmine error allowed May to score putting North Georgia up 3-2.
 
The Knights came back to tie it in the top of the seventh when Melissa Hammer reached on an error and was sacrificed to second by Kelly Ely, and came around to score on another North Georgia error. 
 
The Nighthawks preserved their 14-game win streak with a run in the bottom of the eighth to end the game 4-3.
 
Tevis led Bellarmine going 1-for-3 and collecting the Knights only two RBIs.  Foster was charged with the loss despite striking out four batters and allowing only one hit in the two and one third innings pitched.
 
Game 2 BU 2, QU 1 (BOX SCORE HTM)
 
With Bellarmine the home team on the scoreboard, the Royals stepped to the plate first and subsequently scored first when Taylor Rosenbalm doubled to left field and reached home on an error in the next play.
 
The Knights were able to match the score in the bottom of the second.  With runners on first and second, Olivia Russell smacked a RBI double to left field that drove Tevis home.
 
The game remained tied at one until the seventh inning.  With Rachel Fox reaching on an error, and singles from Foster and Hammer, the bases were loaded when Ely stepped into the batter's box, and the junior infielder delivered in the clutch with a single to left field to send Fox across home plate with the winning run.
 
Russell led the Knights going 1-for-3 with an RBI.  Foster (10-5) was credited with the win after striking out five Queens players and allowing just one run in seven innings pitched.
 
Bellarmine went 3-3 on the weekend at the Mid-South Classic, and will return to action March 6 at Knights Field against the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters at noon.