Knights sweep Rangers on Senior Day LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 18, 2009) -- On the day the Knights celebrated the contributions of their seniors, it was two freshmen who tried to steal the spotlight. Using a entire team effort, Bellarmine swept Wisconsin-Parkside in the Saturday doubleheader. Seniors Kim Locke and Katie Wolsiefer were honored before the game.
In the first game, the Knights wasted no time jumping on top of the Rangers thanks to a three run homerun by freshman catcher Jordan Basham. BU looked to be threatening to add even more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Rangers were able to pull off a rare triple play to escape the inning. Sophomore Angel Zimmerman lined out to the first baseman who was able to get the runner at first before she tagged up then made the throw to second base to get the runner there before she could get back. It seemed to ignite the bats of the Rangers who scored four more runs and led 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Freshman Lauren Summe led off with a double, then pinch runner Brittany Polsgrove scored on a throwing error by the Rangers pitcher. Parkside scored one run in the extra inning to put the pressure on the Knights, but they were ready to respond. Junior Emily O'Bryan doubled to start the inning and Basham drew a walk. Summe continued her consistent hitting and drilled a two-run walk-off single to end the game, 7-6.
Bellarmine stayed agressive at the plate in the second game and gathered 12 hits. Four Knights players had multi-hit games, including seniors Locke and Wolsiefer. BU led 6-5 going into the sixth inning when the Rangers were able to tie up the game. This time the Knights wanted no part of extra innings and for the second time, Basham nailed a three-run homerun to put the home team ahead 9-6. Solid pitching and defense allowed only a single run for Parkside in the 7th and secured a Bellarmine sweep, 9-7.
Sophomore pitcher Casey Willard got her 14th win of the season in the first game and freshman pitcher Amanda Meyer took the win in game two. For the day, senior Katie Wolsiefer (pictured above left) was four for eight with three runs and senior Kim Locke (pictured above right) was three for eight with two runs and one RBI. Basham was two for six with two runs and six RBIs, and Summe was five for six with one run and three RBIs.
Bellarmine's record now stands at 20-28 and 10-12 in GLVC play. The two wins here put the Knights in a strong position to make their first GLVC Tournament appearance since 2003.
