The ETSU Lady Bucs traveled to Nashville to face off against two Atlantic Sun rivals Lipscomb and Belmont. The Lady Bucs lost both games to Lipscomb on Friday and they came out Saturday to get something out of their trip to the home of country music.

The first game ETSU was victorious with 11-2 in a five-inning game.

ETSU opened with a double by Chenice Cason as the lead-off batter and a bunt drove her in, ETSU had the lead 1-0.

Lucy Schneider and Trishia Massenzo both got into scoring positions with two outs. Katie Henderson drove in Schneider and put players on first and third.

A power swing by Arielle Garner, that sailed over the fence, gave ETSU a three-run home run increasing the score to 5-0 after the top of the first.

“It was definitely nice to hit that home run in the first to build confidence, especially after the slump I have been in,” Garner said.

The Lady Bucs continued to build on this lead when Katie Henderson was driven in by Annie Martin in the third inning bringing the score to 6-0, ETSU.

In the fourth inning ETSU scored four runs making it a 10-0 game.

The Lady Bruins made a base hit to drive in Belmont’s first points and scored again in the fifth inning after another ETSU score. This finalized the score at 11-2, ETSU.

“It was a huge win,” said Coach Andrea Mangrum. “We just need to get some momentum going.”

In the second game a grand slam by the Belmont Bruins put winning out of reach for ETSU with a final score of 5-0, Belmont.

Ashley Smith belted a grand slam off of Marissa Hardy giving Belmont a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Relief pitcher Darci Gilbert was sent in to try and stop the Bruins from scoring any additional runs and this was effective.

ETSU hustled to catch up but the Bruins pitcher Devon Schmidt seemed to have control of the field.

The game remained at 4-0 until a run on a hit player in the bottom of the sixth sealing the game at 5-0 Belmont.

“That’s your job as a relief to come in strong,” said Darci Gilbert, “there’s nothing else you can do.”

ETSU improved to 10 win-20 losses overall and 1-3 in the A-Sun. Belmont improved to 4 wins -24 losses overall and 1-3 in the A-Sun.

ETSU has one more away series against Appalachian State before returning home for big A-Sun match against Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast.

More information about ETSU’s softball team is located at www.etsubucs.com.

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