LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A celebratory Saturday afternoon at Knights Field took a sour turn for the Bellarmine Softball team. The program honored its three seniors before first pitch of a doubleheader with University of North Alabama, but the Lions spoiled the day, topping the Knights 7-1 in the first game and 9-1 in six innings in the second.
 
"I'm really glad that I was able to coach these three seniors for the last two years. They've all had great careers and set themselves up for a great future with their academic success," said Bellarmine head coach Caitlyn de la Haba. "I'm excited to see them come back as alums and continue to watch our program grow and that's because of all the work they put in and we're really grateful they left the program better than when they got here."
 
With the losses, Bellarmine moves to 13-30 this season, 5-15 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. With the wins, North Alabama improves to 32-15 overall, 13-7 in ASUN play.
 
Game one
 
UNA jumped on top quickly, striking for a run in the game's opening frame to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
Junior Serenity Shemwell got the Knights offense moving in the second with a one-out single, but no damage was done as the score held 1-0.
 
Getting the start on her senior day celebration, Carson Goatley continued to pitch well into the fourth. The Lions tacked on another run in the top of the inning, the only other blemish on Goatley's line for the day as she finished with 4.0 innings pitched and allowed just two runs, one earned, on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
 
North Alabama's offense came alive in the sixth and seventh innings. The Lions added a single run in the sixth before breaking the game open with a grand slam in the top of the seventh, extending their lead to 7-0.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, junior Chloe Collins finally got the Knights on the board, blasting the second pitch she saw deep over the fence in left center field to cut the lead to six, down 7-1. The home run marked Collins' sixth of the season, tying her for the team-lead with Shemwell. Despite the early inning fireworks, the Knights would score no more, falling 7-1 in the first game of the day.
 
Game two
 
The Lions picked up right where they left off to start game two, driving a home run in the top of the first inning to take a quick 1-0 lead.
 
After back-to-back three-up, three-down innings for Bellarmine, the Knights strung together a few at-bats in the third to get on the board. Grad student Olivia Bricker kicked the frame off with a leadoff walk before sophomore Madison Davis reached via fielding error. Junior Kayla Bauer then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. After a second out, Collins stepped to the plate again and delivered a clutch, RBI single through the left side to score Bricker and tie the game 1-1.
 
From there, junior Claire Lehmkuhler continued to keep the Lions off the bases, allowing just one hit in the fourth and fifth innings.
 
UNA would not stay down long though as its offense exploded in the sixth, scoring eight runs, highlighted by another grand slam, to take a 9-1 lead.
 
Despite a leadoff out, junior Harlie Bickett and Collins ripped back-to-back singles to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth, but the Knights would go no further as the game ended 9-1 after six innings due to the eight-run rule.
 
Up next, Bellarmine will play its final home game of the 2024 season tomorrow, April 28, as the Knights and Lions close out their series on Sunday morning. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. ET at Knights Field.
 
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