MURRAY, Ky. — Despite a late rally, Bellarmine softball came up short against Murray State in its final game at the Velvet Milkman Invitational on Sunday.
 
The Knights (1-13) played their fourth true road game of the season against the Racers (8-6) to wrap up the weekend.
 
Fresh off a pair of low-scoring Saturday wins over Ball State and Loyola Chicago, Murray State struck first.  The Racers used back-to-back doubles from Adison Hicks and Gracie Osborn to push ahead 1-0 in the third inning.
 
Murray State then added three key insurance runs in the fifth inning with a bases-clearing double from pinch-hitter Bre Heislip. 
 
Trailing 4-0, the Knights fought back in the sixth.  Anna Greenwell singled through the left side, and Chloe Collins followed with her third home run of the season to left-center field.  That cut the lead in half, but Bellarmine was unable to put another runner on base the remainder of the game.
 
Both teams totaled seven hits, and the Knights had a strong chance to score earlier runs with three hits in the fourth inning.  With runners on first and third, however, a pair of pop-ups negated the threat.
 
Collins went 2-3 including her home run, while Greenwell also went 2-3 on the afternoon.  Megan Konermann tallied a single, and Caitlyn Watson went 2-3 in the nine-spot. 
 
In the circle, Claire Lehmkuhler and Carson Goatley teamed up for a solid outing, each pitching three innings.  Hannah James tossed a complete game for Murray State and earned the win.
 
Bellarmine faces Louisville in a midweek game on Tuesday at Ulmer Stadium.  The action begins at 5:00 p.m.

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