CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Bellarmine University softball team played hard in day two of the CSU Kickoff Tournament, but was unable tom come away with a win, falling 8-4 to Georgetown in the first game of the day and 9-8 to Siena in game two at the CSU Softball Complex.
With the results of the day, the Knights move to 1-3 on the season.
Game One
Facing off against the Georgetown Hoyas for the second time in as many days, Bellarmine was able to get on the board first, striking for two runs in the first, thanks to an error and sacrifice fly, to take a 2-0 lead.
In the home half of the inning, Georgetown answered with two runs of its own, courtesy of a two-run home run, to tie the game at 2-2. The Hoyas continued the scoring in the second, putting up another run to take a 3-2 lead.
The Knights were finally able to answer in the top of the fourth.
Lauren Guthrie drew a one out walk and
Jadyn Thompson turned in a two out single to get two runners on the bases for
Harlie Bickett. Bickett stepped to the plate and delivered, driving a double to center field to score both runs and put Bellarmine on top 4-3.
From there, it was all Georgetown. The Hoyas went on to put up five runs in the bottom of the sixth to surge ahead 8-4 before shutting Bellarmine down in order in the seventh to secure the 8-4 win.
Game Two
In the second game of the day, Bellarmine found itself down to begin with as Siena put up a run in the game's opening frame.
The Knights didn't stay down long however, answering with runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. With out in the inning,
Jacklyn Zuege reached base after taking a hit by pitch.
Chloe Collins and
Megan Konermann followed, both reaching via error to score Zuege and keep a runner in scoring position. In the next at-bat,
Reni Shemwell blasted a home run to bring three runs across and push Bellarmine ahead, 4-1.
Siena didn't take long to answer back, scoring three runs in their next at-bat to even the score at 4-4.
Bellarmine got right back to work in the bottom of the second as Konermann launched her second home run of the weekend, another two-run shot to center field to retake the lead for the Knights, up 6-4.
From there, the Saints went on a roll. After a scoreless third, Siena put up a run in the fourth and four runs in the fifth to take a late 9-6 lead.
The Knights would not go down without a fight, however. Denney started the home half of the sixth with a single before two quick outs. Thompson stepped the plate next and delivered another single to keep the inning alive for Bickett who promptly ripped a double to center field to score both Denney and Thompson and get BU back within one, down 9-8. Zuege followed with a walk, leading to the duo stealing second and third to put two runners in scoring position, but the threat would come to pass with no further damage.
Siena once again threated to bust the game open in the seventh. After the first three batters reached base, Bellarmine looked to be in trouble, but
Elli Jensen settled in and worked around the bases loaded jam without giving up a run to keep the Knights within striking distance.
Bellarmine was unable to do anything in the final at-bat of the game though, falling 9-8.
Up next, the Knights will conclude their opening weekend with one final game on Sunday, February 9 against Charleston Southern.
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow BUKnights on X, Instagram and Facebook.
