CLERMONT, Fla. -- After the University of Northwestern Ohio scored eight runs in the first two innings, the Bruins settled down, eventually tying the score at 8-8, before a walk-off RBI single by Dani Keighley gave the Racers a dramatic 9-8 victory at THE Spring Games on Thursday afternoon.
The loss dropped Bellevue to 7-6 on the season. UNOH improved to 9-7 overall.
The Bruins got out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, sparked by an RBI double to center field by Sami Reding and a run-scoring single to left field by Lauren Jurek. BU also scored on a fielding error by Racer second baseman Sydney Feenstra.
The Racers quickly responded in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on a two-run double to left field by Anna Ankney and a two-run homer to center field by Keighley, giving UNOH a 4-3 advantage.
A bases-loaded walk to Myla Beckstrom knotted the score at 4-all in the top of the second frame.
UNOH countered in the bottom of the second with a three-run homer to center field by Tess Denning and an RBI double to left field by Keighley to give the Racers an 8-4 margin.
A misplayed fly ball by center fielder Chloe Goulter allowed BU to plate another run in the top of the third, slicing the lead to 8-5.
A two-run double to left field by Reding brought the Bruins to within a run at 8-7 in the top of the fourth stanza.
BU tied the game again in the top of the fifth on an RBI single to center field by Liana McMurtry that scored Reese Floro from second.
The Bruins loaded the bases with one out in both the fifth and sixth innings but failed to score, stranding three runners in both frames.
After Racer reliever Jaylyn Mullenax retired the side in the top of the seventh, pinch hitter Alexis D'Alexander led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field, followed by a walk to Denning, setting up Keighley's game-winning RBI, a single to center field that drove in pinch runner Hailee Edgell.
Katie Cunningham (2-4) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs on eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 6 innings in the circle.
Mullenax (3-2) earned the win, scattering seven hits with one walk and 3 K's in the final four innings. Keighley went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, a double, and a home run.
The Bruins will conclude play at THE Spring Games on Friday (Mar. 10) with an 8:00 a.m. (central time) contest against Carlow (Pa.) University.
