LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine softball team swept the visiting Kentucky State Thorobreds on Tuesday, winning a low-scoring affair in game one by the score of 3-0 before run-ruling their guests in game two, 12-4.
 
The Knights, who improve to 11-10 on the season with the sweep, got three RBIs from junior first baseman Samantha Smith in the first game as she drove in one on a sacrifice bunt and knocking in the second two with a hard shot over the fence in right center field. Meanwhile, pitcher Sabrina Fussenegger pitched around trouble a couple of times, but was effective enough to record the complete game shutout.
 
In the second game, Bellarmine had a bit of a rough start, but closed with a flourish as Rachel Ayer smashed a walk-off, 3-run homer to end the game in the sixth inning.
 
GAME 1 RECAP (HTM BOX SCORE)

Like a good thorobred race horse, the Thorobred softball team broke out of the gates well, recording two hits in their first three at-bats. However, they couldn't sustain the good start with Fussenegger shutting down the scoring threat with back-to-back outs.
 
After the Knights also stranded a pair of baserunners in the home half of the first, Kentucky State nearly duplicated their first inning with a pair of base hits, but no runs to show for it.
 
Bellarmine finally got on the board in the bottom of the third.  Fussenegger led off by smoking one over the head of the KSU left fielder that went for a double. Hannah Webb then singled and stole second to put two runners in scoring position with one out.  Smith then recorded her first RBI of the game by getting a bunt down the first base side of the infield to plate Fussenegger.
 
Kentucky State threatened again in the fourth, but Fussenegger rang up a strikeout to end the inning with runners at second and third.
 
The Knights picked two big insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth when Smith drilled a 3-0 pitch over the right center field fence to drive in two as Grace Werner had singled earlier in the inning.
 
From there, Fussenegger didn't allow another baserunner as the Knights chalked up a shutout.
 
GAME 2 RECAP (HTM BOX SCORE)

After squandering a couple of golden opportunities in the first game, the Thorobreds wasted no time in putting runs on the board in game two. After the first two batters drew walks, KSU shortstop Jittawn Thompson narrowly missed a home run by hitting one high off the center field fence that went for a double and scored leadoff batter Natalia Bocanegra.  The Thorobreds would score two more off Kaelin Olison's single, but left the sacks full as Bellarmine reliever Natalie Magnus recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
 
Down 3-0 before its first at-bat, Bellarmine fought back with two in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of two walks and a sacrifice bunt with RBIs by Smith and Allison Woosley.
 
The scoring continued in the top of the second as Bocanegra led off with a triple and was singled home by the next batter, Jackie Zubiate.  Sydney Oskin came on to pitch and recorded three straight outs to keep the damage to just one.
 
Bellarmine kept up the scoring in the home half of the second with two more runs to pull even at four apiece. Carley Ziegler and Grace Werner picked up the "ribbies" for Bellarmine with Paige Werner and Joelle Zielinski each crossing the plate.
 
Oskin did a solid job in the circle for Bellarmine by keeping the base paths clear of Thorobred runners, meanwhile the BU offense kept tacking on runs.  In the fourth the Knights struck for three more scores with Ciara Incorvati, Paige Werner and Smith all recording RBIs.
 
Taking that 7-4 lead into the bottom of the sixth, Bellarmine put the first two runners on when Webb was hit by a pitch and Smith hit a grounder, but the shortstop opted to go to second base and Webb beat the throw.  A sacrifice by Woosley advanced both runners into scoring position, and Mary Jessica Thomson delivered a single to score Webb, and a sac fly by Paige Werner plated Smith.  Joelle Zielinski followed with a single, and Ayer ended the game with her homer to right center.
 
Oskin's work at the pitching rubber included five complete innings with no earned runs with four strikeouts and just one walk.  She picked up the win, which is first at Bellarmine.
 
The Knights remain at home for their next two doubleheaders coming up this Saturday and Sunday.  The weekend games mark the beginning of the conference season with Illinois Springfield and McKendree coming to town.  First pitch is scheduled for noon both days.

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.