BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The top-seeded Bellevue University softball team advanced in the winner's bracket of the 2015 MCAC Tournament by defeating the No. 4 seed College of St. Mary, 7-2, Thursday in opening day action at Hall of Fame Fields.
Bellevue improved to 37-11-1 on the season and will battle the No. 2 seed Oklahoma Wesleyan at 6:30 p.m. tonight in a winner's bracket contest. College of St. Mary fell to 21-14 and will play Central Baptist College at 4:00 p.m. today in an elimination game.
After Nicki Larsen led off the game with a double to right center field, the Flames grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Mariah Gibson drove in Larsen with a single to left field.
The Bruins quickly responded with a two-run homer by Ashley Gigax to give the Bruins a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the first. The home run by Gigax was her 20th of the season, setting BU's single-season record.
The Flames tied it at 2-2 in the top of the third on an RBI single up the middle by Jamie Zimmerer that scored Mara Eeman, who doubled to right center earlier in the inning.
A pair of two-run singles by Shelby Kindelin and Courtney Schendt broke open the game in the bottom of the fourth, giving the Bruins a 6-2 margin.
Kaitlyn Goney drove in Sarah Zeleny in the bottom of the fifth with an insurance run to increase the lead to 7-2.
Taylor Mohler (20-6), who replaced starter Kelli Fisher in the fourth inning, earned the win, striking out six while not allowing a hit in 3 1/3 innings in the circle.
