The AU softball team got the 2014 season started with two wins on Saturday (Feb. 22).
The Eagles took a doubleheader at Bellarmine, beating the Knights, 3-2 in the opener and winning the second game, 2-0. The second game was called after five frames due to darkness.
This was not the easiest of days for the Eagles. They didn't leave for Louisville, Ky., until Saturday morning because they didn't know if Bellarmine's home field would be playable.
In the opener, the AU pitching tandem of Amber McDermott and Sarah Alley limited the Knights to six hits. McDermott started and received credit for the win, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing a run on three hits. She walked two and struck out nine.
Alley went the last 1.2 innings and recorded the save. She struck out three without a walk while allowing three hits.
Ashland scored once in the first inning and added two runs in the sixth. AU went ahead, 2-1 in the sixth on a single by first baseman Jen Moore.
Second baseman Cayla Seidler went 2-for-3. Ashland had seven hits.
The loss went to Alicia Miller (3-2), who allowed seven hits in seven innings. Only one of three runs charged to Miller was earned.
In the nightcap, Alley allowed three hits over five innings. She walked four and whiffed five.
The Eagles scored both of their runs in the fourth inning. The first run came home on a groundout to shortstop by Alley. Outfielder Carly West accounted for AU's second run with a single.
Alley Foster took the loss. In five innings she allowed two hits. She walked four and struck out seven. Foster didn't allow an earned run.
Bellarmine is 4-3.
AU
SB/ALK