LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine softball team celebrated senior day by knocking off the No. 21 Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles 3-0 today at Knights Field, but the visitors salvaged the split by winning the second game of the doubleheader by the count of 7-4.
 
Prior to the "double-dip" Bellarmine honored the five seniors: Megan Bretz, Ciara Incorvati, Madeline Kurtz, Alexis Sumner and Allison Woosley.  However, it was a pair of juniors who stole the show in game one as Sabrina Fussenegger hurled a one-hit shutout, and Samantha Smith belted two solo homers to lead the Knights to victory over the defending national champions.
 
Both pitchers were superb in the opener, but Fussenegger won the battle by giving up just one base hit and issuing just one free pass on a walk in tossing the complete game shutout.  Southern Indiana hurler Jennifer Leonnhart struck out 11 and gave up just five hits but suffered the loss in dropping to 18-6 on the season.
 
Smith provided the only offense Bellarmine would need when she led off the second inning by drilling a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall.
 
Bellarmine tacked on another run in the third, rallying with two outs. Grace Werner smacked the first pitch she saw between short and third for a clean single.  Then, the speedy freshman stole second and advanced to third when the catcher's throw bounded into centerfield. From there, she scored easily as Hannah Webb rifled a line drive over the center fielder's head for a stand-up double.
 
Smith once again led off the inning in the fourth frame and once again drilled a solo homer.  This time the junior from Georgetown, Kentucky rocketed a shot over the wall in left center to give Bellarmine a 3-0 lead.
 
From there, Fussenegger took control, allowing just one USI baserunner the rest of the way as the Knights cruised to a 3-0 victory.
 
In game two, Bellarmine grabbed a quick early lead, but the Screaming Eagles came back with four runs in the third inning to take control.
 
Bellarmine's first run came when Webb drew a walk and scored from first when Rachel Ayer smoked a double to the power alley in right center.
 
After pitching so well in the first game, Fussenegger stayed in the circle for the first two innings of game two. When Bellarmine finally made a pitching change in the third inning, the Screaming Eagles' offense came to life, scoring four runs on four hits. 
 
The visitors tacked on two more runs in the fourth and ran their lead to 7-1 with a single run in the sixth.
 
As Friday's weather began to deteriorate into a steady rain, the Knights' offense began to come alive.  Bellarmine struck for three runs in the bottom of the sixth with Woosley delivering two RBIs and Sydney Oskin driving in one. However, the Knights left the sacks full and went to the seventh trailing 7-4.
 
Bellarmine avoided a USI scoring threat in the top of the seventh as the Screaming Eagles' Mary Bean was cut down at second base after singling to left with two outs in the inning.
 
The Knights got two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback as USI held on for the 7-4 victory.
 
Bellarmine moves to 21-22 on the season as the Knights spit their fifth straight doubleheader and stand 10-12 in conference play.  The split actually dropped the Screaming Eagles from the top spot in the GLVC, as USI fall to 31-15 overall and 17-5 in league play.
 
The Knights return to action on Monday when they travel to Owensboro, Kentucky for a non-conference doubleheader at Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
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GAME 1 HTM BOX SCORE
 
GAME 2 HTM BOX SCORE