CLERMONT, Fla. -- Katie Franzen drove in a run but it wasn't enough as the No. 22 Bellevue University softball team fell to Hannibal-LaGrange University, 4-1, in the second of their two non-conference games at Sleepy Hollow Park as part of THE Spring Games.
Hannibal-LaGrange improves to 4-3 with the victory while the loss snaps the Bruins' three-game win streak to drop BU to 3-6 on the season.
As was the case in their earlier game, Bellevue scratched across the game's first run. Kayla Lehigh singled with one out before advancing to second on a passed ball and took third on a base hit by Alex Tooley. With two away Franzen then ripped a line drive double to left to bring home Lehigh for the early 1-0 lead.
That advantage would be short-lived as the Trojans responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Shelby Miller doubled home Chelsy Roth ahead of Jenna Duckworth whose single chased in Miller.
The Trojans struck for additional runs in each the fifth and sixth innings. Kristen Lee singled in Gabby Akright in the fifth to push the lead to 3-1. One inning later Haley Zeier doubled in Jennifer Harness to account for the final margin.
Kelli Fisher (2-4, 2.67) took the loss in the circle. She started and went 2.2 innings, surrendering a pair of runs on one hit and two walks and struck out five. Erin Sharpe allowed a pair of runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of relief.
Bobbie Henderson improves to 1-2 with the win for the Trojans. She threw all seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight.
The Bruins threatened in the seventh. After a pair of quick outs Michaela Miller doubled to left to spark what looked to be a rally. Courtney Schendt followed that up by reaching on an error but any further thoughts of a comeback were quashed when Miller was picked off at third to end the game.
The Bruins have another twin-bill tomorrow against #19 Marian and Mount Vernon Nazarene. Game times are slated for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time (10 a.m. and noon Central)
