NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State softball season came to an end on Saturday evening after a pair of losses to Belmont at Rose Park. The Bruins won the first game 7-2 and needed five innings to secure the sweep with a 12-1 decision.

TSU closed out the season at 12-37, 2-19 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while Belmont claimed the eighth spot in the conference tournament at 10-12, 34-20 overall.

The Tigers trailed 2-0 in the opener, but bounced back with two runs in the top of the third to even the score at 2-2. Selena Crafton hit a hard chopper over the head of the Belmont third baseman and moved to second after Sarah Snell earned her second walk of the game. Two batters later, Crafton and Snell would score as Abi Stephens reached on a Bruins throwing error.

In the bottom half of the inning, Amanda Cabrera entered in relief of starter Lauren Powell. Cabrera kept the Bruins at bay until they scored four runs in the fifth, three of which were unearned. Belmont added another run in the sixth to claim the 7-2 victory.

Cabrera (0-1) took the loss after surrendering five runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks over four innings of work. Powell tossed the first two innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out a batter.

In the night cap, Belmont picked up a run in the first, only to see the Tigers equal the score in the second. Patton Akers battled her way to a leadoff walk and advanced 60 feet on a sacrifice bunt by Maggie Syversen. Lauren Woodard dropped a two out single into centerfield to chase home Akers to make the score, 1-1.

The Bruins responded by scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 11-1 lead. Belmont touched Woodard (4-14) for all 11 runs on 10 hits in 1.2 innings. Powell entered to pitch the final 2.1 innings and gave up the final run on two hits and a walk.

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