TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Bellevue University softball team squeaked by Minot State University, 3-2, and shut out Monmouth College, 8-0, in continuing action at the Tucson Invitational Games Wednesday evening (Mar. 10).
The Bruins improved to 6-4 on the season and are 5-0 in the tournament.
Bellevue 3, Minot State 2
Senior Katie Lefler's bases-loaded diving catch in right field ended the game as the Bruins held on for a nailbiting 3-2 win over Minot State in BU's first game of the day.
Trailing 3-1, entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Beavers scored one unearned run and loaded the bases with two outs following an Alissa Crumley walk that forced a BU pitching change. Senior Aly Bowers came in for the final out on Lefler's heroic catch.
Senior Jenny Gawart led the Bruins at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a solo homer in the top of the fifth inning.
Crumley earned the win, improving to 3-1 on the season and Bowers picked up her first save of the year.
Minot State Line Score
Bellevue......002 010 0 - 3 5 2
Minot State..000 100 1 - 2 8 1
WP - Crumley (3-1)
SV - Bowers (1)
LP - Greenberg
2B: MS, Elliott
HR: BU, Gawart
Bellevue 8, Monmouth 0
The Bruins blasted 13 hits and two home runs and Kimber Markley allowed just two hits as Bellevue run-ruled Monmouth in five innings, 8-0. Markley got her first win of the season, striking out two batters while not allowing a walk..
Seniors Kendra Gansz and Lefler each blasted home runs in the win. Gansz' three-run shot highlighted a four-run fourth inning as she finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Lefler hit a solo homer in the second inning and finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Monmouth Line Score
Bellevue.......220 40 - 8 13 0
Monmouth...000 00 - 0 2 2
WP- Markley (1-0)
LP - Butler (0-1)
2B: BU, Allen, Sedlak; MC, Beal Diaz
3B: BU, Wees
HR: BU, Gansz, Lefler
Bellevue will conclude the tournament on Thursday (Mar. 11) with a 10 a.m. game against Olivet Nazarene University followed by a 12 p.m. contest against Judson University.
