Freshman right-hander Mackenzie Grossmann fired her first collegiate shutout to propel the Morehead State softball team to a 1-0 victory and three-game weekend sweep of Ohio Valley Conference opponent Belmont on Sunday afternoon at University Field.
The Eagles improve to 16-18 overall, 7-7 in league play and 7-4 at home. The Bruins, who have dropped five straight contests, fall to 9-27 overall, 4-12 in conference action and 2-10 on the road. MSU also closes out the three-game weekend set with a 9-3 scoring advantage.
Grossmann, who has won six of her last eight decisions, fired 95 pitches and went the distance for the 11th time in 2015. She improved to 10-6 by allowing just two walks and five hits while striking out five. The hurler has now tied the most wins by a Morehead State freshman since 2011.
MSU plated the contest's only run in the third inning. Freshman second baseman Hannah Murphy led off with a single, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by junior left fielder Lizzy Margagliotti, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by junior first baseman Dana Hutchins.
Belmont's best chance to score came in the seventh inning. Freshman third baseman Ally Bessette smacked the game's only extra-base hit -- a triple down the right-field line -- but was tagged out at the plate when the next batter was unsuccessful in executing a suicide squeeze.
Seven Eagles registered one hit apiece. Sophomore right fielder Amy Zeronian paced the Bruins by going 2-for-3. Junior right-hander Carolyn Snodgress fell to 4-7 with the defeat. She allowed no walks, just one run and scattered seven hits while fanning three in six innings.
MSU wraps up its five-game home-stand on Wednesday when Horizon League opponent Wright State visits University Field for a 2 p.m. ET doubleheader.
