BU shuts out Warriors to complete series sweep
The Bellevue University softball team recorded a pair of run-rule shutouts over visiting Waldorf University to complete the four-game series sweep over the Warriors Monday afternoon in North Star Athletic Association action at Roy Smith Field.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Bellevue University softball team recorded a pair of run-rule shutouts over visiting Waldorf University to complete the four-game series sweep over the Warriors Monday afternoon in North Star Athletic Association action at Roy Smith Field.
With the two wins, BU improved to 27-9 on the season and 16-2 in the NSAA. Waldorf dropped to 11-23 on the season and 6-10 in league play.
The Bruins will travel to Peru, Neb., on Wednesday, April 19, for a single non-conference contest beginning at 2 p.m. against Peru State College.
Game 1: Bellevue 15, Waldorf 0 (5 innings)
The Bruins pounded out 16 hits, and Liana McMurtry, Reese Floro, and Sami Reding combined for 10 RBIs to lead BU to the 15-0 victory in the opener.
A pair of WU fielding errors and a groundout RBI by McMurtry enabled the Bruins to gain an early 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first frame.
The Bruins increased the margin to 6-0 in the bottom of the second on a two-run double to right-center field by Floro, a sacrifice fly to center field by Atiana Rodriguez, and an RBI double to center field by McMurtry.
Bellevue exploded for eight runs on eight hits in the bottom of the third, pushing the lead to 14-0. The inning was highlighted by a three-run homer to right field by McMurtry, a two-run double down the left-field line by Reding, and a pair of RBI singles to center field by Katie Cunningham and Floro.
A sacrifice fly to right field by Leslie Egan made it 15-0 in the bottom of the fourth.
Cunningham earned the win, improving to 8-4 on the season, finishing with three strikeouts with no walks, and four hits in four innings of work.
Maddie Dalke was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs on six hits with no walks and no strikeouts in 1.2 innings.
McMurtry finished 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and five RBIs. Floro was 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Reding went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.
Game 2: Bellevue 8, Waldorf 0 (5 innings)
McMurtry and Myla Beckstrom drove in two runs apiece and BU rode the stellar pitching of Lauren Jurek, to register the 8-0 victory in five innings in the nightcap.
The Bruins batted through the lineup in the bottom of the first, scoring five runs on six hits, including a two-run single to center field by McMurtry, an RBI double to center by Jurek, and a two-run double to center field by Myla Beckstrom.
An RBI single to center field by Ashley Young increased the BU advantage to 6-0 in the bottom of the second frame.
The Bruins ended the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring on a WU throwing error and on a sacrifice fly to center field by Madison Machacek that scored Leslie Egan from third.
Jurek improved to 8-4 on the season, allowing just one hit with no walks and nine strikeouts in five innings in the circle.
Alex Mathers (4-8) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on five hits with one walk and no strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work.