Neumann leads Bruins to MCAC title

Box Score

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Sophomore pitcher Amanda Neumann produced at the plate and in the circle, driving in three runs, while fanning 14 batters as the Bellevue University softball team won their second-straight MCAC Tournament championship with a 6-1 victory over Peru State College Friday afternoon at Hall of Fame Fields.

With the tournament title, Bellevue (31-17) advances to the NAIA National Softball Championship on May 19-25 in Gulf Shores, Ala. It marks the fifth time in school history the Bruins have qualified for the National Tournament.

Neumann was 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a home run. On the mound, she improved to 22-8 on the season, scattering three hits while walking none and registering at least two strikeouts for the first six innings.

Katie Tew finished 2-for-2 with a home run. Kim Wees was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Kathryn Wardian also produced a pair of hits and drove in one run.

The Bruins got off to a fast start with a two-run homer by Neumann in the bottom of the first. A solo shot over the right center field fence by Tew extended the lead to 3-0 in the second.

Alyssa Mangum's solo home run in the top of the third cut the deficit to 3-1.

An RBI single by Wardian and a bases-loaded hit batsmen gave Bellevue a 5-1 cushion in the third.

Neumann drove in Wees in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to push the Bruin lead to 6-1 and Neumann dominated on the mound the remainder of the contest to secure the victory.

Bellevue has now won seven-straight games.

Line Score
Peru State...001 000 0 - 1 3 0
Bellevue.......212 100 x - 6 9 0
WP: Neumann (22-8)
LP: Drumm (11-11)
2B: BU - Wees; PS - Patton
HR: BU - Neumann, Tew; PS - Mangum