April 17, 2009
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On Senior Day, Belmont senior pitcher Sammi Parks couldn't have picked a better day to throw her first shutout of the season as the Owls lost the first game of Friday's doubleheader, 1-0, to the Bruins at Aquinas Field.
Belmont (10-23, 2-9 A-Sun) scored the game-winning run on a two-out error in the bottom of the sixth inning when Klair Wells misplayed a slow roller to second base which brought home the game's only run as the Bruins snapped their 11-game losing streak.
The Owls (18-23, 4-9 A-Sun), who had three opportunities to take the lead in the early innings, seemed like they would get out of the sixth inning as starter Catherine Tarvin (6-9) induced a grounder to the right side, but the slow roller handcuffed Wells, scoring Brooke Babington, who led off the inning with single, with the game's only run.
Tarvin started out the game strong, striking out the side in the first inning as she set the tone of the game quickly. The southpaw was dominant as she struck out six of the first nine batters she faced.
Kennesaw State loaded the bases in the fourth inning as Hollie Huffman led off the frame with a single. Jenna Closner beat out a grounder to third base, but the late throw sailed over the first baseman's head as KSU had runners at second and third with one out.
Parks (4-13), who allowed just three hits while striking out seven batters in the complete game win, recovered to get Brittany Moore to ground to short and then got Kelsey Kulk to fly to center field to end the threat.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Tarvin pitched out of jam as Belmont put runners on second and third with one out. A grounder to Klair Wells at second and a sharp grounder to Jamie KeKaualua at shortstop ended the threat and kept the game scoreless.
The Owls threatened again in the top of the fifth inning when Rachel Chapman walked to leadoff the inning. After Tiffany Alvarado pinch ran for Chapman, Jamie KeKaualua dropped a perfect bunt in front of home plate, but Belmont's catcher Hannah Irwin's throw to second wasn't in time to get Alvarado at second base.
After the Owls loaded the bases, a pair of clutch fielding plays by the Bruins kept the game tied. Wells hit a sharp grounder up the middle that Parks snared and then spun towards home and threw for the force out. Jenna Closner then lined a shot to left field which Elly Bennett sprinted in on and made the play for the final out of the inning.
