FAYETTE, Mo. -- The Bellevue University softball team opened the 2024 campaign with a 5-1 loss at eighth-ranked Central Methodist University Sunday afternoon at Cox Softball Complex.
Junior Katie Cunningham led the BU offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Atiana Rodriguez finished 1-for-3 with a double.
The Eagles grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI double through the right side by Joely Crider. CMU made it 2-0 in the bottom of the second frame on an RBI double to left field by Daly Garland.
Bellevue answered in the top of the third on Cunningham's run-scoring single to center field that plated Rodriguez, cutting the lead to 2-1.
CMU scored two in the bottom of the third on an RBI triple to right field by Madison Roberts and an RBI single through the left side by Madison White, making it 4-1.
Kaysie Jolley led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo homer to right field to extend the margin to 5-1.
Cunningham (0-1) suffered the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk in 4.0 innings of work.
Jordyn Ball notched the win, improving to 3-0 on the season, scattering six hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts in seven complete innings of work.
The Bruins (0-1) will travel to Ottawa, Kan. tomorrow (Feb. 12) for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at 17th-ranked Ottawa (Kan.) University.
