LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Facing an important eight-game homestand, the Bellarmine University softball team started on the right foot by sweeping a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader from the Lewis Flyers on Friday afternoon at Knights Field. 

The Knights got a solid pitching performance in game one as freshman Sabrina Fussenegger tossed a shutout in picking up a 5-0 victory. In the second game, Bellarmine capitalized on six walks, five wild pitches and two Lewis errors to plate 10 runs on nine hits while holding the Flyers to two runs despite Lewis rapping out 10 hits.

Bellarmine improves to 20-24 overall and 8-12 in league play while Lewis slips to 22-19, 10-10 GLVC.

The Knights return to action tomorrow, hosting Wisconsin-Parkside in doubleheader beginning at noon.

GAME 1: BU 5, LU 0 (HTM BOX SCORE)

Fussenegger pitched around two first inning base hits to get out of the inning unscathed while the Knights posted a run in the home half with just one hit. Rachel Fox ripped a triple to right center, and Paige Dabney followed with bunt. The Lewis defense threw home, but Fox slid under the tag to score the game's first run.

The Knights increased their lead in the fourth when Olivia Russell singled up the middle to lead off the inning. Marley Edwards came in to pinch run, and after a sacrifice bunt advanced her to second, she stole third base and scampered home when the throw was off target and ended up in left field.

The next inning Bellarmine extended its lead to 5-0 powered doubles by Fox and Russell along with three bunts in the inning.

Lewis, meanwhile, had very few scoring opportunities as Fussenegger surrendered just six hits and walked only two.

GAME 2: BU 10, LU 2 (HTM BOX SCORE)

Although the Flyers didn't threaten much in the first game, they wasted little time in scoring in game two as Carly Jaworski and Sarah Demasi hit back-to-back doubles to jump out to a 1-0 lead.

Bellamrine answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the first without the benefit of a base hit. Erica Knollman led off with a walk, then after a ground out, Dabney also drew a walk. Lewis pitcher Paige Fossey then misfired on a pitch that hit the ground about eight feet in front of the plate, and when the catcher tried to make a play on the ball, it careened off her left arm and skidded near the Flyer dugout, allowing both runners to advance two bases with Knollman scoring on the play. Dabney then scampered home on yet another pitch in the dirt.

In the second, the Knights again plated a pair of run, this time capitalizing on a Ciara Incorvati double followed by a hit batter and a Lewis error.

Bellarmine added three more runs in the fourth, but made its two outs at home plate. After Lillie Nitzken singled up the middle, Edwards pinch ran and came around to score when Knollman ripped a double to left center. Fox followed with a single to drive in Knollman, who had advanced to third on a wild pitch. Dabney then followed with a single before giving way to pinch runner Megan Bretz, who—along with Fox—pulled off a double steal to put runners on second and third. Russell then drew a walk, with ball four coming on a wild pitch that allowed Fox to score. Russell then advanced to second, drawing a throw from the catcher. Although Russell was safe, Bretz broke for home and the shortstop was able to gun her down at the plate. Then, in a near repeat performance, Katie Stamper drew a walk, again with ball four coming on a wild pitch. Russell tried to score from second on the play, but was tagged out by the pitcher.

Down 7-1 heading into the fifth, Lewis kept hopes alive when Kaylee Prieto homered to lead off the inning. After the next batter hit an infield single, Marlee Tevis relieved Fussenegger. Two bunts loaded the bases, but the Knights escaped with no more runs as two grounders led to force outs at home and a fly ball to left ended the Flyer threat.

The Knights got that one run back in the bottom of the inning on another double by Incorvati and an RBI single by Melissa Hammer.

Bellarmine ended the game an inning early by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth. Fox led off with a single and Dabney drew a walk. Russell then followed with a bunt, and the throw to first sailed into right field allowing Fox and Dabney to score the final runs and end the game at 10-2.

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