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DODGE CITY, Kan. -- Despite outhitting Avila University, 11-4, the Bellevue University softball team was plagued by six fielding errors, falling to the Eagles, 4-3, Tuesday afternoon in a loser's bracket contest at Legends Park in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round - Dodge City Bracket.
The loss ended the Bruins' season at 44-20. Avila (30-17) advanced to play No. 1-ranked Science & Arts (Okla.) later this afternoon.
Ashlyn Teran, Ashley Young, and Ellie Bliemeister each produced a pair of hits in the loss, while Emily Mendick, Katlyn Kinman, and Maricela Egan all drove in runs on the day.
The Eagles got out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, sparked by an RBI single to left field by Lexi Hanson and a run-scoring double to left by Cierra McGee. Avila also scored during a pickle which saw Makenzie Musgrove steal home successfully.
Mendick's RBI double to deep left-center scored Brieanna Brock from third to slice the AU lead to 3-1 in the top of the second.
A sacrifice fly to left by Kinman scored Erin Sharpe to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the third frame.
The Eagles made it 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single to left by McGee.
An RBI double to deep right-center by pinch hitter Egan brought BU to within a run at 4-3 in the top of the sixth. Avila got out of a one-out bases-loaded jam later in the inning with a pair of force outs to keep it a one-run game.
Emily Rochford (1-3) suffered the loss, giving up two runs on two hits in the first 1/3 inning of the contest. Brock allowed just one run on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts in the final 5 2/3 innings.
Kayleigh Behymer (15-6) earned the win, scattering 10 hits with no walks and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work. Makayla Akin was credited with a save, allowing just one hit with one walk and one strikeout in the final 1 2/3 innings of the contest.
