KENNESAW, Ga. – The Bellarmine University softball team battled in its series opener at Kennesaw State but was thwarted by a late run, falling 2-1 on Friday night at Bailey Park.
 
With the loss, the Knights move to 13-22 on the season and 5-8 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. With the win, the Owls improve to 11-29, 3-10 in league play.
 
Freshman Brooke Shewmaker got the Knights going early offensively, lining a single up the middle to lead off the game but nothing else would come after, leaving her on base.
 
On defense, junior Claire Lehmkuhler made quick work of Kennesaw State in the bottom of the first before running into trouble in the second. The Owls got the leadoff hitter on and eventually brought her home to score on an RBI ground out to second base to take a 1-0 lead.
 
After getting just one base runner over the next two innings, the Knights finally answered in the fifth. Grad student Olivia Bricker got things going after drawing a one-out walk. After another quick out, Bricker advanced to second on a wild pitch. In the same at-bat, junior Kayla Bauer delivered on a 2-1 pitch, ripping an RBI double down the third base line to score Bricker and tie the game at 1-1.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Kennesaw State got a runner on base thanks to a throwing error by Bellarmine's defense. The Owls took advantage of the extended inning in the following at-bat, scoring the run from second on a single up the middle to take a late 2-1 lead.
 
The Knights had one last chance in the seventh but we're unable to rally, falling 2-1 in the series opener.
 
Despite taking the loss, Lehmkuhler (9-11, 2.88) pitched another great game, throwing all 6.0 innings while allowing two runs, both unearned, on just two hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
 
Bellarmine and Kennesaw State will play game two tomorrow, April 13, at Bailey Park with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
 
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