Bruins split Sunday at Space Coast Spring Games

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Bellevue University split its Sunday doubleheader at the Space Coast Spring Games, falling 3-2 to Florida National University before bouncing back with an 8-1 win over Olivet Nazarene University.

Bellevue's top hitters on the day were Kaitlyn Fisher (4-for-7, double, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, walk), Marguerite Brown (4-for-7, 2 doubles, RBI, walk), and Breanne McMurtry (3-for-6, home run, RBI, 2 runs, walk). Lindsey Dressman went the distance in the nightcap, allowing one run on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

Bellevue is now 6-8 on the season. 

Game 1: Florida National University 3, Bellevue University 2

Bellevue built an early lead, but Florida National scored three times in the fifth inning and held on for the one-run win.

The Bruins struck first in the second when Emma Crisman doubled home Breanne McMurtry to make it 1-0, and Fisher followed with an RBI single to plate Crisman for a 2-0 advantage.

Florida National answered in the fifth with three straight RBI hits. Ariel Obregon's RBI single cut it to 2-1, Alissia Vega's RBI double tied it 2-2, and Alyssa Julien's RBI single pushed the Conquistadors in front 3-2.

Bellevue finished with 10 hits but left 10 runners on base. Ellie Zoucha took the loss, and Carly Bertolini threw the final 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Brunella Beteta went the distance for Florida National.

Game 2: Bellevue University 8, Olivet Nazarene University 1

Bellevue scored in five different innings and pulled away for an 8-1 win behind a complete game from Dressman.

The Bruins opened the scoring in the first as Fisher came home on Leslie Egan's RBI groundout for a 1-0 lead.

Bellevue added three in the second when Fisher singled to center, and two runs scored to make it 3-0, and Miranda Garcia drew a bases-loaded walk later in the inning to extend the margin to 4-0.

McMurtry homered in the fifth to push the lead to 5-0.

The Bruins tacked on two more in the sixth on Fisher's RBI double for a 6-0 advantage and Brown's RBI double to make it 7-0.

Olivet Nazarene got on the board in the sixth on RayElle Brennan's sacrifice fly, cutting it to 7-1, but Bellevue added a run in the seventh when Savannah Short drove in Mariah Unverzagt on a groundout to set the final at 8-1.

Fisher went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Brown finished 2-for-2 with two doubles and an RBI.

Up Next: The Bruins will continue action at the Space Coast Spring Games on Monday, March 9, with a 9 a.m. (CT) matchup against Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a 1:30 p.m. (CT) contest versus the University of St. Francis (Ill.).