LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine University softball made its return to Louisville and opened play in the Cardinal Classic, splitting the day with a 15-1 loss to Ball State before bouncing back with a 5-2 win over LIU at Ulmer Stadium.

The Knights (6-15) scored a run in the opening frame against Ball State but ran into a buzz saw the next two innings as the Cardinals scored nine runs in the second and six in the third. The designated player for BSU, Ella Whitney, delivered a monster game with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, launching two home runs and five RBI.

In the second game, Bellarmine faired much better.

BU once again opened up the scoring, putting up three runs in the home half of the first inning. Sophomore Lauren Guthrie got things going with a bunt single that brought home the game's first run, followed later by RBI singles off the bats of freshman Tia Ice and senior Madison Davis to go up 3-0.

The Knights kept it going in the second, putting up two more runs. This time, Guthrie got her RBI on a single to left field while junior Kendall Gaddie brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to center.

LIU scratched across a run in both the second and fifth innings but couldn't overcome the early Bellarmine lead as the Knights went on to win 5-2.

Ice went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, adding an RBI, run and a stolen base. Freshman Jayla Manning and Guthrie added two hits each.

Up next, Bellarmine will close out the Cardinal Classic on Sunday, March 8 with another contest against LIU.

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