Bruins earn split at NTC Spring Games Tuesday
Seven-game winning streak snapped ... Tew, Neumann, Bridgeford hit home runs ...
Clarke Box Score
Lourdes Box Score
CLERMONT, Fla. -- The Bellevue University softball team split a pair of games Tuesday at the National Training Center Spring Games, downing Clarke University 11-1 in six innings, before falling to Lourdes University, 3-2, in the final game of the day.
The loss to Lourdes snapped the Bruins' seven-game winning streak.
The Bruins (7-3) will continue action at the tournament on Wednesday with games against Grace (Ind.) College at 1:00 p.m. EST and Ave Maria University at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Bellevue 11, Clarke 1 (6 innings)
The Bruins outhit Clarke 9-2, including four doubles and two home runs as they posted an 11-1 win in six innings in the opener.
Amanda Neumann improved to 2-0 on the season, recording a season-high 10 strikeouts in the complete game two-hitter.
BU struck first with a home run in the opening inning by Neumann off CU starter Kasey Stenger.
The Bruins added two runs on three hits to take a 3-0 lead in the third. Kelsie Bridgeford hit an RBI double that allowed Kim Wees to cross home plate and Bridegford eventually came around to score on a Crusaders' error.
CU got on the scoreboard with an RBI single by Maiya Tallakson in the bottom half of the third inning, to trim BU's lead down to 3-1.
BU exploded for eight runs in the sixth inning beginning with a sacrifice fly by Kristin Burhenne that scored pinch runner Luci Mendoza. A pair of bases loaded walks by Katie Malloy and Taylor Anderson and a CU error pushed the Bruins lead to 7-1. Katie Tew capped the inning off with a grand slam to give BU a 10-run lead, 11-1.
Lourdes 3, Bellevue 2
The Bruins were held without a hit until the fifth inning and committed three errors as they dropped the nightcap, 3-2.
The Gray Wolves took an early 1-0 lead on a passed ball that scored Lauren Marstin from third base in the first inning.
The Bruins capitalized on two LU errors to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth.
LU regained the lead in the top of the sixth on a BU error and an RBI single by Megan Mosiniak to extend its lead to 3-1.
Bridgeford blasted her second home run of the season to pull BU within one, 3-2, in the sixth inning.
Shelby Kindelin (2-2) took the loss, allowing three runs, while striking out six and walking one.