LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine softball team earned its first ASUN win of the season on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with Queens at Knights Field.
Queens took game one by a final score of 2-0, while the Knights came out victorious in game two by a final score of 3-1.
Game One
Pitching dominated the first game, with Bellarmine and Queens combining for just six hits.
The Royals broke through in the third with a Kayla Smith single to center field, scoring Kaylee DeJesus. Ashlyn Mickler added an insurance run for Queens in the fifth with a RBI groundout to shortstop.
Autumn Courtney retired the first 11 Bellarmine batters she faced, but Megan Konermann broke up the perfect game in the fourth with a double to center field. Bellarmine brought the tying run to the plate in the sixth after an Addison Kerr pinch-hit single, but Courtney escaped the jam.
Despite the loss, Claire Lehmkuhler turned in a strong performance in the circle, striking out seven over a complete seven innings. Courtney finished with 12 strikeouts for the Royals in her complete game win.
Game Two
The second game of the day started and ended in Bellarmine's favor. During the second inning, Kerr reached on a throwing error and later came in to score on a RBI double from Olivia Bricker, putting the Knights ahead 1-0.
In the fourth, Chloe Collins led off with a solo shot over the center field fence to push Bellarmine in front 2-0. Collins' home run was her team-best sixth of the season. Kerr followed Collins with a walk, and Kayla Bauer stepped in as a pinch-runner. With two outs, freshman Madison Davis delivered a clutch RBI single to right field, scoring Bauer and giving Bellarmine a 3-0 advantage.
Queens got one back in the sixth with an unearned run, but the Royals left the tying runs on base. Queens had the tying run at the plate twice in the seventh but was unable to extend the game, and Bellarmine secured its first conference win of the season.
The Knights came up with timely hits despite being outhit 7-5 in the second contest. Bellarmine's pitching was also outstanding, led by Carson Goatley who pitched five shutout innings. Goatley's performance resulted in her first win of the season. Lehmkuhler pitched the final two innings, earning the first save of her career.
Bellarmine left just four runners on base in game two, while Queens left 11 on the basepaths.
The Knights and Royals wrap up their series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Knights Field.
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