MARS HILL, N.C.—The Bellarmine University softball team scored 11 runs in today's doubleheader at Mars Hill College, but it was enough as the host Lions swept the Knights, taking the opener 10-2 and holding on in game two for an 11-9 victory.

Ciara Incorvati and Olivia Russell paced the Knights at the plate today. Incorvati was a combined 3-for-5 with a run scored and three RBIs. Russell went 3-for-4 on the day including the Knights' first homer of the year. She also scored two runs scored and drove in two.

Game one saw the Knights fall behind early and never recover. After sitting down the Knights in order in the top of the first, the Lions plated three runs on two hits (including a homer) and two Bellarmine errors in the bottom of the first.

Bellarmine battled back with two runs in the top of the second. After Erica Knollman and Olivia Russell were both hit by pitches with one out, Incorvati singled and Katie Stamper doubled to drive them home, but the rally ended there.

The Knights managed just three more hits the rest of the game, while Mars Hill kept up the offensive pressure.  The Lions tallied a run in the second then tacked on three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to run-rule the Knights 10-2.

The second game saw the Knights come up with a little more offense, but still couldn't keep pace with the Lions who banged out 18 hits in just six at-bats.

Bellarmine established a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Incorvati singled home Stamper who had gotten aboard via a walk. However, the Lions roared back with 3-run innings in both the first and second innings.

The Knights cut the lead to 6-4 in the top of the third with Rachel Ayer, Paige Werner and Russell picking up RBIs as Incorvati, Knollman and Kaitlin Barbiere scored.

After Mars Hill extended its lead to 7-4 with a run in the fourth, the Knights stormed back with four runs in the top of the fifth to take their first lead of the day at 8-7. Stamper's two-run double and Incorvati's infield single provided the RBIs in the inning while another run was allowed by a Lion error.

Bellarmine's lead didn't last long, however. Krista Romine, the Lions' left fielder, popped a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth that gave Mars Hill the lead for good.
The Lions added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 11-8.

Russell led off the top of the seventh with a solo homer to left field, but the Knights stranded base runners at first and second as Mars Hill hung on for the win.

Bellarmine makes its home debut this coming weekend, hosting Kentucky Wesleyan and Findlay in games on Saturday and Sunday.
 
GAME 1 HTM BOX
 
GAME 2 HTM BOX