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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball Program (21-7, 5-0 MVC) will hit the road to take on Illinois State (6-21, 0-3 MVC) in a weekend series starting on Friday at 5 p.m. CT. The Bruins look to extend their 10-game winning streak and unbeaten conference record against the Redbirds.
What’s Bruin
- Belmont sits atop the MVC standings after week one of Valley play and enter week two with the longest winning streak of any team in the league.
- Belmont is set to hit the road for the first time in 14 games. The Bruins are 2-3 on the road this season.
- In the Bruins win over the Racers on Tuesday, Maya Johnson recorded 12 strikeouts while only allowing one hit. Emily Cockrill also recorded her first home run of the season.
- Maya Johnson had another standout week in the circle. The pitcher tossed a total of 21 innings recording 50 strikeouts while only allowing 11 hits and 2 runs for a .67 ERA on the week. Johnson’s performance secured her D1Softball National Pitcher of the Week honors.
- The pitcher threw a season-high 17 strikeouts in the Bruins’ wins over Murray State and Drake on Sunday. Johnson also surpassed 500 career strikeouts last week.
- Johnson is first in the NCAA for strikeouts (168) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (33.60). The pitcher also ranks third in the NCAA for ERA (.72). Johnson leads the MVC in ERA, opposing batting average (0.106), strikeouts, wins (12), and batters struck out looking (27).
- Nicole Hughes recorded her first home run of the season in game three against Drake. The junior leads the Belmont offense with a .386 batting average after compiling 13 runs, 32 hits, 25 RBI, 8 doubles, and 1 home run this season. Hughes leads the MVC in RBI.
- The Bruins have five players batting above .300 (E. Cockrill – .358, Nicole Hughes – .386, Baie Ensio – .353, Rylee Spindler – .338, Emma Barnes – .302).
- The Bruins rank first in the MVC for team ERA (2.42) and team fielding percentage (.979).
- Belmont comes in at no. 10 on the D1Softball Mid-Major Top 25 Poll and no. 39 in the recent NCAA RPI standings.
About the Redbirds
- Belmont is 1-1 against Illinois State since joining the MVC. The Bruins did not meet the Redbirds last season.
- Illinois State enters the weekend on a seven-game losing streak after starting Valley play 0-3.
- The Redbirds dropped their conference opening series against Southern Illinois.
- The Redbirds average a .224 team batting average and 4.10 team ERA.
- Abby Knight leads Illinois State with a .301 batting average.
- Addison Masching has recorded a team-leading 10 RBI this season.
- Hannah Meshnick leads the Redbird pitching staff with a 3.38 ERA and a 3-7 record in the circle after totaling 34 strikeouts so far this season.
- Illinois State was picked to finish fourth in the MVC Preseason Poll.
Follow Along
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