FLORENCE, Ala.—All three games of Bellarmine University's opening ASUN Conference series at North Alabama featured outstanding pitching as the homestanding Lions completed the sweep today in the series finale by turning back the Knights 3-1 at Hilda B. Anderson Stadium.
A day after no-hitting the Knights, UNA hurler Megan Garst recorded a 3-hitter today to pick up the win as the Lions improve to 13-4 on the season.
For the Knights, their big hit came when second baseman
Hannah Webb ripped a double over the head of the UNA left fielder Lexie Harper to open the sixth inning.
Sarah Ratterman followed with a sacrifice bunt, and the catcher's throw sailed into foul territory down the right field line. By the time the UNA defense recovered, Webb had scored and Ratterman was standing on third base. However, Garst settled in to induce a pop-up then strike out the final two batters to get out of the inning.
The Knights had one last chance in the seventh inning when
Alyssa Brock drew a two-out walk and
Carley Ziegler followed with a single through the left side bringing Webb to the plate again. This time, however, her drive to left field had a little more air under it, Harper was able to settle under it to record the final out.
The Lions had taken an early 3-0 lead in the game, scoring once in opening frame on an RBI single. The first four UNA batters of the second inning reached base with a run scoring on a bases-loaded walk and a second run scoring on a sacrifice fly.
Freshman pitcher
Carson Goatley turned in a solid performance in the circle for the Knights. Coming on in relief in the second inning, the right-hander tossed five complete innings without allowing a run and surrendering just three hits.
Bellarmine falls to 4-11 overall and starts the ASUN season 0-3 in league play.
Another stiff challenge awaits the Knights in their next outing. Bellarmine returns to action on Tuesday when they travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the 22nd-ranked Lady Vols of the University of Tennessee in a doubleheader.
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