The Morehead State softball team swept its doubleheader at Belmont to open OVC play. They won the first game, 12-2 in six innings, and then won the second game, 2-1.
With the wins, the Eagles move to 12-9 overall and 2-0 in OVC play. The Bruins fall to 7-19 and 0-2 in league play.
"It was great to start conference play with two wins," said head coach David Williams. "Our offense provided runs, while our defense made plays behind two solid pitching performances."
In the first game, the Eagles jumped out to an early lead with a solo run in the first and then exploded for seven runs in the third inning to mount an 8-0 lead. They managed seven hits to score eight runs and only one hit went for extra bases, a double by Lizzy Margagliotti.
After Belmont trimmed the lead to 8-2 with two runs in the third, MSU put the game away with a run in the fifth and then three more in the sixth to win 12-2 in six innings.
Morehead State finished the game with ten hits. Karly Thompson and Margagliotti recorded the lone extra base hits of the game. Thompson's double in the sixth inning knocked in two runs and she finished 3-for-4 with three runs and three runs batted in.
Mackenzie Grossmann (4-4) picked up the win as she went the distance. She allowed six hits and two earned runs, while walking six and striking out four.
In the second game, the Eagles got two runs in the top of the first and Allison Rager silenced Belmont's bats.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the first, Thompson continued to thrive at the plate, delivering a two-run single up the middle.
Rager (6-2) took it from there, allowing just three hits and an earned run in a complete game victory. She walked three and struck out four.
The freshman from Elk View, W. Va. has now pitched back-to-back complete game victories and has allowed just one run and six hits in her last 14.0 innings.
Thompson recorded two of the Eagles' five hits, going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in.
Morehead State looks for the sweep at Belmont tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET.
