A fourth double-digit run performance for the Bellmont Braves yielded a fourth consecutive big win for coach Mindy Buuck’s team, who celebrated Senior Night with a big 17-9 win over the DeKalb Barons Thursday.
Making several changes to the lineup to ensure the most playing time for the 12th graders and they took full advantage of it, with Brynlee Straub and Ella Franze both picking up two hits.
Bella Ashley pitched the whole game for Bellmont, earning the win with seven strikeouts while walking none. Her only real patch of trouble came in the fifth inning, when the team had a chance to end the game via the run rule. Instead, DeKalb strung together a few hits, took advantage of some Bellmont mistakes, and extended the game by drawing the score to 15-7 and holding Bellmont scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
The final result was never in doubt, however, with eight Bellmont hitters having a multi-hit night. Taylor Bauer was a perfect 5-for-5 and Finnley Godsey and Bella Ashley each had four hits.
Senior Emily Bleke was 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Aaliyah Faurote had two hits on her senior night.
The Braves can still finish as high as third if they can beat East Noble on Monday on the road. Leo and Columbia City will play next Wednesday for the conference title, with both teams currently at 5-0.
Bellmont will finish their regular season with three tough, non-conference tests before the sectional – home against Bishop Dwenger and Snider and away at Homestead.
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