KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--The Bellarmine University softball team dropped both ends of their doubleheader on Tuesday against the No. 22 University of Tennessee Lady Vols by final scores of 19-0 and 8-0.
Tennessee rode the strength of three long balls and an 8-run second inning to an easy 19-0 game one victory that represented the most lopsided loss in school history for the Knights. Lady Vols catcher Ally Shipman helped pace the Tennessee offense that produced 19 runs on 14 hits by reaching base three times and adding a homer and three RBIs. Third baseman Chelsea Seggern added three RBIs of her own while reaching base four times. Senior Ivy Davis made the most of her two at bats on the day, launching a 3-run home run that capped a 4-run first for the Lady Vols.
In the circle, Tennessee pitcher Callie Turner recorded her fifth win of the season and combined with teammate Anna Hazlewoord to no-hit the Knights for the second time in as many series. Bellarmine starter Carson Goatley nearly escaped the first inning with minimal damage, but one of three Knights' errors on the day extended the frame just long enough for Davis to rip her eighth homer of the season. Goatley lasted 1.1 innings giving up five hits and eight runs, only four of which were earned.
Offensively, Bellarmine's lone baserunner came in the form of a leadoff walk to start the 5th inning. The Knights were unable to make anything of the scoring opportunity however as catcher Sydney Young followed with a pop up to the third basemen and Hattie Hartman hit into a game-ending double play.
Bellarmine's offensive woes continued in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader, but the Knights were able to put runners on base earlier and more frequently, which led to more chances to score. The Knights had an opportunity to take an early lead in the top of the second after a leadoff single by Sydney Young and a sac bunt by teammate Alyssa Brock, but Vols starter Bailey McCachren was able to get out of the jam when Joelle Zielinski hit a line drive that Vols' second baseman Kaitlin Parson snagged and flipped to the shortstop for an inning-ending double play.
Junior Carley Ziegler was able to give Bellarmine another leadoff baserunner with a single to start the top of the third. After a fielder's choice and a walk, the Knights had two on and one out, but the double play ball came back to haunt them again and McCachren was able to escape the frame with no damage.
McCachren ended up going the distance for Tennessee in the circle, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out just one Knight. Bellarmine starter Megan Murphy was able to match the complete game effort while striking out a season high four batters and allowing five earned runs on eight hits.
It was a four-run third inning for Tennessee that made the biggest difference on the scoreboard in the second game. A walk and a hit-by-pitch set the stage for a pair of RBI singles by Kiki Milloy and Ally Shipman. The big inning was capped by a two out RBI double by catcher Rylie West.
Bellarmine (4-13) will return to conference play this weekend when they host the Liberty University Flames, who are coming off a 2-0 extra inning victory over No. 13 Arkansas their last time out. First pitch for game one of the series is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. at Knights Field.
HTM BOX SCORE GAME 1
HTM BOX SCORE GAME 2
