CLINTON, S.C. — It was a tough day at the plate for Bellarmine softball as the Knights fell to Toledo and Presbyterian in games three and four of the 2023 season.
The Knights (0-4) allowed only six runs on the day but totaled just one hit between the two games. Bellarmine fell in game one to Toledo by a final score of 2-0 and lost to Presbyterian 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.
"Our pitchers battled," Knights Head Coach
Caitlyn de la Haba said. "They had a much better day than Friday which was definitely a bright spot."
Game One
Jenna Kroll's leadoff home run in the second inning proved to be the difference for Toledo, giving the Rockets a 1-0 lead.
Toledo's lone other run came in the sixth inning thanks to a Lexi Eckman RBI single.
Bellarmine's first base-runner reached in the fifth inning when
Ellie Alvarez was hit by a pitch. A 5-3 double-play, however, erased the threat. The Knights had another base-runner in the sixth when
Alexis Hargrove reached on an error.
Anna Greenwell pushed her to second with a sacrifice bunt, but a strikeout ended the inning.
The Knights had the winning run at the plate in the seventh after
Emily O'Dee was hit by a pitch and
Chloe Collins tallied the lone single for Bellarmine. The Knights proceeded to pop-out and fly-out though, and Toledo held on for a 2-0 win.
In the circle,
Carson Goatley and
Elli Jensen gave Bellarmine a chance. Goatley turned in four strong innings, allowing just one run and four hits. Jensen had a good outing in her second career appearance, allowing only one run through the final three innings.
Erin Hunt was outstanding in the circle for Toledo, earning the complete-game win with 12 strikeouts and only one hit allowed.
Game Two
Bellarmine's final game of the weekend was a pitcher's duel until the fourth inning. With runners on second and third, Rebecca Clark smacked a two-RBI single to right field to give the Blue Hose a 2-0 advantage.
Pinch-runner Jenna Borkey added an unearned run for Presbyterian in the fifth inning after stealing second, advancing to third on an error, and coming in to score off a Bailey Watkins RBI single. Presbyterian added one final run with a Morgan Hess solo homer in the sixth.
The Knights were unable to manage a hit, while
Sydney Young drew a walk in the second inning.
Claire Lehmkuhler pitched all six innings for Bellarmine and held Presbyterian scoreless through three. The sophomore finished the game with a career-high eight strikeouts.
Jenna Greene earned the no-hitter victory for Presbyterian with nine strikeouts.
The Knights are back in action next weekend with five games in Greenville, S.C. Bellarmine's next game is against Binghamton at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, followed by a 4:30 p.m. matchup with Sacred Heart.
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights), and Facebook (BUKnights).
