Knights lose, then win in GLVC Tourney
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (May 1, 2009)--The Bellarmine University softball team suffered a stinging 2-1 loss to Quincy University in their opening game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship Tournament, but the Knights came back to win an elimination game 3-0 over St. Joseph's just over an hour later.

In their opener, the seventh-seeded Knights took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but the second-seeded Hawks pushed across two unearned runs to claim the opening round game. The classic pitchers' duel featured just seven total hits. Bellarmine's designated hitter Lauren Summe continued her hot hitting and collected two of those hit, with freshman catcher Jordan Basham collecting the other.

In game two, Bellarmine got a complete game, two-hitter from Willard and some big hits from Basham and Summe to secure the 3-0 win and eliminate the Pumas of St. Joseph's.

The Knights again found themselves in a pitcher's duel as the teams went scoreless until Basham homered to open the bottom of the fifth inning. The opposite field blast was the Fredericksburg, Ind., native's 10th of the season, which ties the Bellarmine single season home run record.

That lone run would be more than enough cushion for Willard, who retired the last 13 batters she faced to earn her 17th win of the season. However, Summe provided a little insurance by hitting a two-run homer after Kim Locke had singled with two out in the sixth.

Bellarmine (24-30) now continues in the GLVC tournament and will get a rematch with Quincy, who were 4-3 losers to Northern Kentucky. Bellarmine and Quincy will square off once again at noon (EDT) on Saturday, May 2.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE

GAME 2 BOX SCORE

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