THE RUNDOWN

LONGVIEW, Texas. – The Belhaven University softball team dropped the opening game of the doubleheader 6-0 to LeTourneau University, but recovered in game two with a 6-2 victory to earn the doubleheader split Saturday afternoon in American Southwest Conference play.  

In game one, it looked to be a pitcher's duel early on, as Kassie Shipley and Leigh Luker went head-to-head for the first three innings of play. 

The Yellowjackets scored the first runs of the game in the fourth inning off of a sacrifice fly and an RBI-single to take the 2-0 lead.

LETU added two additional runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning to make the score 4-0.

LeTourneau's offense continued to come through at the right time, as the Yellowjackets scored a couple more runs in the sixth inning to bring the score to 6-0. The Blazers could not plate a run in the contest and would fall 6-0 in the first game of the doubleheader.

It was a different story for the Blazers in game two of the doubleheader. The Green and Gold struck first in the top of the first inning when Marissa Rice hit a RBI-single to right center to score Allie Gordon on the play. BU led 1-0 after one complete inning.

Belhaven's defensive miscues caused two runs to come across in the top of the second inning to make the score 2-1 with LETU having the slight advantage.

After two muffed throws in the top of the third inning, Meghan Luker scored to tie the ball game up at 2-2. 

Meghan Luker continued to be a spark for the Green and Gold, as she hit a clutch 2-run RBI single up the middle to score Brister Curry and Brittany Chetta to bring the score to 4-2 in the fourth inning.

Marissa Rice tallied her second RBI of the game bringing the score to 5-2. Still in the sixth inning, Anna Peyton Montesi added an insurance run off of a single to the shortstop to score Bailey Root after six complete innings.

LeTourneau tried to rally late, but came up short after three straight singles the Blazers rolled the 1-2-3 double play for the first two outs of the seventh inning. After a fly out to centerfield, the Blazers would defeat the Yellowjackets by a final score of 6-2 to give them a win over the #2 ranked team in the American Southwest Conference.

BU Head Coach Kevin Griffin Comments on the Split

"Jordan Self pitched her best game to this point in her Belhaven career. Every pitch was working and we needed that spark. Our offense came up with big hits up and down the lineup. Meghan Luker seems to provide a spark every time she's in the lineup. I need to do a better job of getting her opportunities because she brings a wealth of energy to our team!"

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

In game one, the Blazers could not put together much offense. 

Allie Gordon, Brianna Dollar and Anna Peyton Montesi were the only Blazers to register a hit in the contest.

Kassie Shipley took the loss in the circle, but had three strikeouts and on seven hits.

In game two, Meghan Luker led the Blazers going 3-for-4 from the plate, had 2 RBI, and scored two runs for the Green and Gold. Additionally, Luker tallied the second triple on the year for the Blazers.

Marissa Rice and Allie Gordon had two hits apiece in the game. Rice also had two RBI during the contest.

Jordan Self pitched her first complete game on the season and gave up no earned runs in the win.

UP NEXT

The Blazers will return to the field for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 19 to take on cross-town rival Millsaps College. First pitch is set for 5:00p.m. at Millsaps Softball Complex.

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