Belmont Softball Caps Perfect Home Opening Weekend

Bruins Shutout Ohio University 3-0 to Improve to 13-5 on the Season

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Belmont University Softball team capped a perfect 5-0 home opening weekend with a 3-0 shutout victory over Ohio University on Sunday. Pitcher Maya Johnson delivered a dominant performance, allowing just one hit, striking out 17, and walking only one batter in a complete-game shutout to move to 8-0 on the season.

Why it matters

Belmont's softball team has gotten off to a strong start this season, going 13-5 overall and 5-0 at home. The shutout win over Ohio University continues the team's momentum as they head into a midweek matchup against the University of Tennessee.

The details

Belmont opened the scoring in the first inning as Nicole Hughes lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Emily Konz to score. The Bruins added to their lead in the fifth inning, with Hughes doubling to right field to drive in Rylee Spindler, and Madison Dolecki following with an RBI double of her own to plate Hughes and extend the lead to 3-0.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
  • Belmont will next face the University of Tennessee on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 4 PM CT.

The players

Maya Johnson

Belmont's starting pitcher who delivered a dominant complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit, striking out 17, and walking only one batter.

Nicole Hughes

Belmont player who hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning to drive in the first run, and later doubled to drive in another run in the fifth inning.

Madison Dolecki

Belmont player who hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to extend Belmont's lead to 3-0.

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What’s next

Belmont heads back on the road for a midweek matchup at University of Tennessee, facing the Lady Volunteers in a rematch of last April's meeting. First pitch is set for Tuesday, March 3 at 4 p.m. CT, with the game streamed on SEC+ and live stats available on gobelmontbruins.com.

The takeaway

Belmont's softball team has gotten off to an impressive 13-5 start to the season, including a perfect 5-0 record at home. The team's shutout win over Ohio University, led by a dominant pitching performance from Maya Johnson, showcases the Bruins' strength as they prepare to face a tough opponent in the University of Tennessee.