BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University softball team, backed by a fifth inning outburst and a dazzling pitching performance by Kelli Fisher, claimed a 3-0 victory over Waldorf College in a midweek Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference contest on Tuesday afternoon at Hall of Fame Fields.
Fisher was light's out on the day holding Waldorf to crumbs at the dish. The Warriors managed just three hits and drew two walks but struck out eight times on the afternoon. Fisher recorded her fourth shutout of the season and allowed just one runner to reach third on the afternoon.
Bellevue improve to 22-8-1 (7-0 MCAC) on the year while Waldorf drops to 10-18 (1-4) with the loss.
Each team managed just a single hit through the first four innings before Bellevue was able to break through in the bottom of the fifth. Shelby Kindelin drove home the first run of the afternoon, reaching on a fielder's choice to chase home Kaitlyn Goney whose one-out single started the rally. Goney singled down the left field line, took second on a bobble, and advanced to third to bring Kindelin to the plate.
With the infield drawn in Kindelin grounded a ball to the second baseman's backhand. The ball was fielded cleanly and the throw went to the plate but Goney slid in just ahead of the tag. A pair of singles later Kindelin scored to double the BU edge. Bellevue added a third run when Emily Gigax singled through the left side with the bases loaded and two outs.
Hattie Hupke singled and stole second with one out in the sixth for Waldorf but was thrown out attempting to swipe third later in Courtney Palmer's at-bat. It would prove costly as Palmer would work a walk. Carla Smith reached on a throwing error that saw Palmer advance to third but the threat ended when Fisher induced a groundout by Danyielle Barger to end the inning.
Fisher struck out the side, working around a two-out single, in the seventh to clinch the win and improve to 11-2 in the circle on the season.
Bellevue is slated to play a 5:00 p.m. double-header at Concordia (Neb.) tomorrow.
The second game of the double-header was suspended due to a medical emergency in the top of the third inning with Bellevue leading 3-0. It has not yet been determined if or when the contest will be resumed but a decision will be forthcoming. Bellevue University and its athletic department's thoughts and prayers are with the affected parties.
