Bruins go 1-2 in first day at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Martin Methodist Box Score
Notre Dame (Ohio) Box Score
Auburn Montgomery Box Score

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. -- The Bellevue University softball team went 1-2 Friday at the 2012 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic, defeating Martin Methodist College, 3-1, before losing to Notre Dame College (Ohio), 2-1, and Auburn University-Montgomery, 4-0.

Bellevue is now 1-6 on the 2012 season. The Bruins will continue action at the tournament tomorrow morning. Saturday's opponent and start time has yet to be determined. 

Bellevue 3, Martin Methodist 1
The Bruins scored all three runs in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by a two-run single by Kelsey Bridgeford, who drove in Brooke Ellis and Kathryn Wardian, who both reached on walks. Katie Tew drove in Bridgeford with an RBI single for BU's third run. 

Amanda Neumann picked up the complete-game win, scattering five hits with three strikeouts and one walk to drop the Redhawks to 6-2 on the season. 

Notre Dame 2, Bellevue 1 
After the Bruins grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI single by Bridgeford, Notre Dame countered with two runs in the bottom of the second on three consecutive hits. That was all the Falcons needed as NDC's pitching staff limited BU to four hits on the night. 

Taylor Mohler (0-1) took the loss, giving up five hits, while striking out six batters. 

Auburn-Montgomery 4, Bellevue 0
Auburn-Montgomery's Courtney Baker tossed a three-hit complete game shutout, striking out eight Bruins. Amanda Neumann, Kaylea Kult, and Shelby Kindelin all registered singles in the loss. 

After three scoreless innings, the Warhawks notched a two-run double by Shea Driggers in the top of the fourth inning. AUM added a third run in the sixth on an RBI single to center field by Haley Johnson. The Warhawks garnered an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an RBI double by Jyssica Pepper. 

Kindelin (0-4) recorded the loss, allowing 10 hits and one walk, while striking out five batters.