WESTFIELD, Ind.—Weather has been wreaking havoc on the Bellarmine softball schedule in the early stages of 2018.  To date, the Knights have had 14 games cancelled due to weather concerns.

To help make up for all those lost games, Bellarmine participated in a hastily organized event at Westfield, Indiana's Grand Park, which features artificial surface fields, on Saturday and Sunday. The Knights got in four games, going an even 2-2 to keep their season mark an even .500 at 5-5.

On Saturday, Bellarmine dropped a 7-2 decision to the Purdue Northwest, a new member to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  But, the Knights bounced back with a 5-4 victory over Ohio Dominican. 

Sunday's action again opened with a game against Purdue Northwest, and again, the Lions came out on top, slipping past the Knights 3-2.  In the second game of the day, Bellarmine won a back and forth affair with Ferris State as Paige Dabney came through with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to help the Knights escape with an 8-7 victory.

After having Trevecca Nazarene's Music City Invitational canceled due to rain on Feb. 17 and 18, Bellarmine had the Midwest Regional Showdown cancelled as well.  That event was scheduled for Feb. 23-25 in Evansville, Indiana, but host Southern Indiana was forced to call it off due to heavy rains.

Because so many teams had already planned to travel to Evansville and organizers from the University of Indianapolis were able to secure Grand Park, a version of the Midwest Regional Showdown shifted slightly northeast.

In addition, Bellarmine was able to reschedule a meeting with Cedarville into a home doubleheader on Monday, Feb. 26.  That twin bill will begin at 1 p.m. at Knights Field.

GAME CAPSULES:

Saturday, Feb. 24

Purdue Northwest 7, Bellarmine 2 (HTM BOX SCORE)

The Lions took advantage of seven walks issued by Bellarmine pitching to plate seven runs on just four hits.  Meanwhile, the Knights totaled seven hits, but only Lillie Nitzken's third inning single drove in runs as the senior collected both of BU's runs batted in. Marlee Tevis added two hits for the Knights.

Bellarmine 5, Ohio Dominican 4 (HTM BOX SCORE)

In the second game of the day, the fortunes were reversed. The Knights got outhit 11-9, but benefitted from five ODU walks.  Bellarmine built a 5-2 advantage in the game, but had to fend off a serious challenge in the bottom of the seventh to hold on for the win.

Heading into the frame the Knights were clinging to a 5-3 lead.  The first two batters were retired, but three straight singles produced a run and put runners on second and third after Bellarmine threw home trying to get the final out.  However, pitcher Sabrina Fussenegger recorded a strikeout to end the game.  Nitkzen and Tevis again led the Bellarmine offense.  Nitzken went two for three with two more RBIS while Tevis drove in three and had two base knocks.

Sunday, Feb. 25

Purdue Northwest 3, Bellarmine 2 (HTM BOX SCORE)

Again the Knights outhit the Lions, but found themselves on the short end of the scoreboard.  Bellarmine took a 2-0 lead on a two-run triple by Rachel Ayer in the top of the third, but the Knights' offense stalled as Bellarmine managed just one hit over the final four innings. The Lions capitalized on a Bellarmine error for a run in the bottom of the fifth, but the big blow came in the bottom of the sixth as PNU center fielder Zoee Anderson connected for a two-run homer that proved to be the difference.

Bellarmine 8, Ferris State 7 (HTM BOX SCORE)

For the fourth time in four Bellarmine games this weekend, the team with the fewer hits came out on top.  This time is was nine Ferris State errors contributing to Bellarmine's success.  Despite the poor defense, the game was exciting, going two extra innings before Dabney's game winner. Ciara Incorvati and Allison Woosley were the biggest run producers for Bellarmine, driving in three and two respectively.

Madeline Kurtz, who started and finished the game, recorded 12 strikeouts in picking up the win.  Olivia Knies and Alexis Sumner also saw time in the circle, adding four strikeouts to bring the total to 16 for the Bellarmine pitching staff.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights), Facebook (BUKnights) and the BUKnights mobile app available for iPhone and Android.