CRETE, Neb. -- Behind a strong six-inning outing from pitcher Abby Dworak and all five RBIs coming from sisters Liana and Breanne McMurtry, the Bellevue University softball team earned a 5-3 victory over Doane University Wednesday afternoon at the Doane Ballfield Complex.
With the win, the Bruins improved to 14-14 on the season, while the Tigers fell to 14-18 overall.
BU wasted no time getting on the board, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run homer to center by Breanne McMurtry.
Liana McMurtry followed with a two-run blast of her own in the second inning to double the lead to 4-0.
Doane responded in the bottom half with an RBI single up the middle by Lexi Alaniz-Diaz to make it 4-1.
Liana McMurtry delivered again in the fourth with a run-scoring single to left, her third RBI of the game, extending BU's lead to 5-1.
After Doane's first two batters reached in the bottom of the seventh, Katie Cunningham entered in relief of Dworak. The Tigers plated two runs—on a groundout by Marisa Marquez and an RBI single by Kayla Meyer—to close the gap to 5-3. Cunningham ended the game by inducing a popup to shortstop Emma Crisman, securing her third save of the season.
Dworak (2-1) earned the win, allowing just one earned run on seven hits over six innings, walking one and striking out three.
Faith McDonald (5-11) took the loss for Doane, surrendering four runs on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts in two innings.
The Bruins return home to host Valley City State University for a four-game series at Roy Smith Park in Omaha on April 6-7. Sunday's doubleheader begins at 2 p.m., followed by a noon start on Monday.
