TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Belmont University softball team (41-13, 21-5) concluded its historic 2026 season Saturday at the Tuscaloosa Regional after falling to No. 1 seed University of Alabama and University of South Carolina Upstate in regional play.
The Bruins finished the year with a 41–13 overall record after capturing back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships and the program's first MVC regular-season title. Belmont also earned its second NCAA Regional victory in program history earlier in the weekend with a shutout win over Southeastern Louisiana.
VS Alabama - Tuscaloosa Regional (0–3)
Belmont faced top-seeded Alabama in the winner's bracket Saturday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. The Crimson Tide struck early with three runs in the opening inning, while Maya Johnson settled in quickly and recorded two strikeouts in the frame.
Despite the early deficit, the Bruins continued to make strong defensive plays throughout the game to keep Alabama off the board the rest of the way. In the second inning, Belmont turned in three key defensive outs, including an impressive bunt pick up from Rylee Spindler who assisted Nicole Hughes for the out at first.
Belmont continued battling defensively in the fourth inning after Alabama threatened with runners in scoring position. Dolecki made an impressive foul-out catch near the dugout before Belmont escaped the inning without further damage. Lauren Luciani later added another standout defensive play with a running foul-ball catch near the dugout in the seventh.
The Bruins struggled to generate offense early against Alabama pitching and did not record a baserunner until the sixth inning when Tallulah Eichholz singled up the middle. The Bruins made another strong effort in the seventh inning when Rylee Spindler worked a leadoff walk. Later in the inning, Luciani reached on an error while pinch hitting, giving Belmont one final opportunity to rally. Alabama, however, closed out the 3–0 victory.
Johnson went the distance in the circle, striking out seven while allowing just five hits across seven innings of work.
VS USC Upstate - Tuscaloosa Regional (1–10)
Following a short turnaround in the elimination bracket, Belmont returned to face USC Upstate later Saturday evening. The Spartans opened quickly with four runs in the first inning and continued to apply pressure offensively throughout the game. Ellie Giles started in the circle and opened the game with a strikeout in the first inning.
The Bruins broke through offensively in the fourth inning after consecutive walks from Rylee Spindler and Nicole Hughes, followed by a single from Lydia Vanderwoude to load the bases. Brenna Blume brought home Belmont's first run with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Belmont continued to battle in the sixth inning after Hughes and Vanderwoude again delivered back-to-back singles and Blume drew a walk to load the bases. The Bruins threatened to cut into the deficit, but USC Upstate escaped the inning and eventually secured the 10–1 win.
Belmont used three pitchers in the contest, with Giles, Johnson, and Hannah Leierer combining for three strikeouts.
The Bruins close the 2026 campaign following one of the most successful seasons in program history, highlighted by 41 wins, consecutive MVC Tournament titles, the program's first regular-season conference championship, and another NCAA Regional victory.
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