Bruins fend off elimination, top Concordia (Neb.), 3-1

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SHAWNEE, Okla. -- The Bellevue University softball team defeated Concordia (Neb.) University, 3-1, to stave of elimination Tuesday at the NAIA Opening Round at Firelake Ball Fields.

With the win, Bellevue (36-16) will face another elimination game and will play against 15th-ranked Belhaven (Miss.) University at 5 p.m. tonight.

The win also marks the Bruins' second victory over the Bulldogs this season.

Concordia (Neb.) ends its season with an overall record of 32-16.

Shelby Kindelin went 3-for-4 and Alyssa Matoba added a pair of hits to lead BU's offense that outhit the Bulldogs, 8-4.

The Bruins took advantage of a pair Bulldog errors to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Katie Malloy hit a sacrifice fly before Augusta Ratliff's RBI single.

CU used a bases-loaded walk in the top of the second to cut its deficit in half, 2-1.

BU responded in the bottom half of the inning on Kindelin's RBI double to regain a two-run advantage, 3-1.

Kelli Fisher improved to 18-5 in the circle. She gave up just one run with four strikeouts in the complete game.

Amanda Beeson (19-11) gave up three runs, one earned, in six complete innings in the loss.

NAIA Championship Opening Round - St. Gregory's Bracket

Shawnee, Okla. | Firelake Ball Fields

Monday, May 12
Game 1: Belhaven (Miss.) def. Bellevue, 16-1
Game 2: St. Gregory's (Okla.) def. Concordia (Neb.), 4-3

Tuesday, May 13
Game 3: St. Gregory's (Okla.) def. Belhaven (Miss.), 5-0
Game 4: Bellevue def. Concordia (Neb.), 3-1
Game 5: Belhaven (Miss.) vs. Bellevue, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14
Game 6: St. Gregory's (Okla.) vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.
Game 7: If necessary, 3 p.m.