OMAHA, Neb. — The Bellevue University softball team used a four-run second inning to propel the Bruins to an 8-2 non-conference victory over visiting College of Saint Mary Wednesday night at Roy Smith Field.
With the win, the Bruins improved to 15-7 on the season, extending their winning streak to six games. CSM fell to 3-19 overall.
The Flames took an early 2-0 lead on a two-run homer to center field by Kaela Persico.
BU quickly answered in the bottom of the first, scoring on an RBI single to center field by Sami Reding that scored Reese Floro from second, slicing the CSM advantage to 2-1.
The Bruins added four runs in the bottom of the second, sparked by Madison Machacek‘s two-run homer to left field. BU also scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Floro and on an RBI single to second base by Atiana Rodriguez to take a 5-2 lead.
An RBI double to right field by Rodriguez increased the BU margin to 6-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
A suicide squeeze bunt by Machacek scored McMurtry from third to make it 7-2 in the bottom of the fifth frame.
Rodriguez drove in her third run with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Alyssa Morbach from third, giving BU an 8-2 edge in the bottom of the sixth.
Katie Cunningham improved to 6-4 on the season, allowing four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in seven complete innings of work.
Megan Garcia (1-9) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on six hits with no walks and no strikeouts in three innings in the circle.
The Bruins return to conference play this weekend when they host Valley City State University on April 1-2 in a four-game NSAA series at Roy Smith Field. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday’s twin bill will commence at noon.
