WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
Belmont 5, @Lipscomb 1
Eastern Kentucky 10, @Chattanooga 1
BELMONT 5, LIPSCOMB 1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A pair of homeruns from senior Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) helped seal the first win in the Battle of the Boulevard since 2011 for Belmont Softball on Wednesday afternoon. The Bruins (5-7) picked up a 5-1 win over Lipscomb (9-8) at Draper Diamond.
The Bruins wasted little time posting runs on the board, taking advantage of a light breeze at Draper Diamond. Senior Cheyenne Cavanaugh (Spring, Texas) launched a single to start the half inning. Junior Audrey Lyle (Westlake, Ohio) smashed her first triple of the season to plate BU's first run of the contest. Taking advantage of the opportunity, senior Alicia Veltri (Clarksville, Tenn.) drilled her first homerun of the season to give the Bruins a 3-0 lead early.
The Bisons were able to make a mark on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning after they were able to load the bases and pushed one over the plate. BU was able to hold on to its two-run lead easily as the contest marched on. Lipscomb threatened in the bottom of the fourth, moving a pair of runners into scoring position after a sac bunt. However, Belmont was able to emerge without any damage.
BU added insurance runs in the tops of the fifth and sixth innings, thanks to a Cavanaugh sac fly and a solo homerun by Alicia Veltri, respectively. The Bruins turned on the defensive heat in the final half innings to secure their 5-1 victory.
For the game, Alicia Veltri went 2-for-3 with three RBI at the plate while Cavanaugh went 2-for-4.
Alicia Veltri and classmate Autumn McDanel (Moravia, Iowa) split time inside the circle, combining for four strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action this weekend with OVC action on the road at Morehead State. Due to inclement weather heading for the area, the series has been moved up a day, now starting on Friday with a single game to kick off the three-game series. Live stats will be available for the entire series.
EASTERN KENTUCKY 10, CHATTANOOGA 1
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team hit four home runs and allowed one hit to cruise past the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 10-0, on Wednesday night.
Eastern Kentucky (11-3, 3-0 OVC) wasted no time taking the lead in the first.
Ariyana Miranda got things started with a one out single in the top of the first. With two outs, Carly Robinson singled to left field to put runners on first and second. Vianna Barron followed suit with a single to left field to bring home Miranda and give Eastern the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Barron and Mollie Paulick started the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with no one out. After back-to-back strikeouts Jaelyn Sanders hit her second home run of the season to dead center field to give the Colonels a 4-0 lead.
EKU busted the game open in the fifth.
Jasmine Miller doubled to right center to get things started with one out. After a Robinson walk, Barron took the 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to give the Colonels a 7-0 lead. Paulick followed with a solo home run to center field to give Eastern an 8-0 lead. After a Lou Bowers single, Jeanay Riley homered to left center field to give the Colonels their third home run of the inning and a 10-0 lead.
Kaitlyn Young (1-0) went the distance in the circle tossing five innings, allowing one hit, and striking out four.
Eastern hits the road this weekend for three-game series against in-state rival Murray State. First pitch against the Racers is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday.