WKU Softball drops game against Belmont
WKU senior pitcher Katie Gardner (5) throws a pitch during the game against the University of Akron at the WKU Softball Complex on March 5, 2023. Gardner pitched the entire game with 9 total strikeouts by the end of the game. WKU won 5-0.
March 30, 2023
WKU Softball (20-10) fell to the Belmont Bruins (17-12) 2-0 Wednesday, March 29 at the WKU Softball Complex.
Junior pitcher Katie Gardner pitched well against the Bruins. Although she picked up a loss, Gardner only gave up one earned and collected six strikeouts through six innings of work.
WKU’s offense fell flat against Belmont. The Lady Toppers only mustered two hits in the shutout loss.
Belmont put a runner on in the top of the first, but couldn’t make a move. WKU had a runner on second with two away, but she was stranded following a strikeout.
Belmont’s first batter of the second reached on an error and she came all the way across to score on a two out RBI single making it 1-0. WKU failed to respond in the bottom frame of the second.
Belmont had a runner in scoring position with only one out in the third; however, Gardner collected a couple of groundouts to get out of trouble. Senior Taylor Davis collected the first of two Lady Topper hits on the day, but she stayed put on first.
Belmont had a two out hit in the fourth, but it amounted to nothing. WKU went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Belmont and WKU both went down 1-2-3 in the fifth.
Belmont scored their second run of the game in the sixth making it 2-0. WKU started their half of the inning with a leadoff single, but the Lady Toppers couldn’t get anything going.
Belmont looked to add insurance in the seventh with runners on first and second but neither scored. WKU went down 1-2-3 in the seventh as the Bruins took the victory.
WKU will look to bounce back in a three game series against the Charlotte 49ers beginning March 31 at the WKU Softball Complex.
Sports reporter Jake McMahon can be reached at [email protected].
