MADEIRA BEACH, Fl. – The Bellarmine University softball team ended its weekend tournament in Florida with another win, topping Butler 5-1 at R.O.C Park.
With the win, the Knights improve to 4-7 on the season.

Playing as the home team, Claire Lehmkuhler opened the game with three straight strikeouts.

Harlie Bickett got the offense going with a bang, launching her first home run of the season to left field. Later in the inning with Chloe Collins on second, Nicole Waters reached first on a fielding error by the first baseman. The error also allowed Collins to score, putting the Knights ahead 2-0.

Bellarmine struck again in the fifth. Brooke Shewmaker led things off with a single through the left side. After the first out, Bickett reached first on another Butler fielding error. Shewmaker made it all the way to third on the play with Bickett taking second on the throw in from the outfield. In the next at-bat, Jacklyn Zuege laced a double off the fence in center field, scoring Shewmaker and advancing Bickett to third. Collins followed with a ground out to second to score Bickett. Erica Endris kept the inning alive with a single to left center field, scoring Zuege to extend the Knights lead to 5-0.
In the top of the sixth, Butler answered with a run of its own, making the score 5-1.

Selena Zuniga came on to pitch with two outs in the sixth and finished the game, securing the 5-1 win for Bellarmine.

Lehmkuhler earned her second win of the year with another good outing, allowing just one unearned run in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts. Endris led the team with a 2-for-2 day at the plate after entering the game as the DP in the second inning.

Up next, Bellarmine will end its road trip with a midweek contest at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN on March 5.

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