LOUISVILLE, KY. - The Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team dropped two games to Bellarmine University on Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers fell 8-2 in the opener before a comeback was stalled in game two, falling 7-5.
Game 1: KWC - 2, Bellarmine - 8
The Knights (11-9) scored three in the first and three in the second inning to take a quick 6-0 lead. Bellarmine added two more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 8-0 lead. Maddie Dawson led-off the fourth with a single, but after back-to-back strikeouts the Knights looked to preserve the shutout. Abbey Winstead stepped to the plate and ripped a two-run homerun over the left field wall.
The Panthers (5-16) left two runners on base in the fifth and one in the seventh. Cameron Hamilton pitched four strong innings of relief, allowing no runs on four hits with a strikeout. Winstead finished two for three with a homerun and two RBIs.
Game 2: KWC - 5, Bellarmine - 7
The day's finale started in similar fashion as the first with the Knights taking a quick lead in the bottom of the first inning. Bellarmine scored four runs in the first, but the Panthers loaded the bases in the top of the second with one out.
After a groundout, Meryck Hardley drove-in the first Wesleyan with run with a two-out single. The Knights got out of the jam and added three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 7-1 lead.
With the heart of the order due-up in the third, the Panthers took advantage. Jaylin Tidwell and Lexie Mullen led-off with singles and after a walk to Winstead the bases were loaded. A fielder's choice recorded the first out at home, but Terrilynn Summers followed with a single through the left side of the diamond to drive in a run.
Andee Powell kept the line moving with a single through the middle and into center to record another run. After a pop-out, Hardley walked to bring in another run. The Panthers plated three runs in the frame to pull within 7-4.
Mullen blasted a solo-homerun in the fourth to bring the Panthers with two, 7-5. However, the Wesleyan offense stifled in the final three innings. Bailey Woodall pitched six innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts. Mullen finished two for four with a homerun and RBI.
The Panthers will host Oakland City University on Saturday. First pitch at Foster Field is scheduled for 1PM.
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