June 4, 2011
Belmont closer Jon Ivie got Davis Duren to ground into a bases-loaded double play to end the game for his 14th save of the year, and the Bruins warded off a late Oklahoma State charge on Saturday afternoon to come away with a 3-2 win and advance to the third day of play at the NCAA Nashville Regional.
The Bruins took a 3-0 lead into the ninth inning on the strength of a solo home run by Nate Woods in the first inning and a 2-RBI single in the third off the bat of catcher Matt Zeblo. Starter Chase Brookshire allowed just two Oklahoma State hits over eight-plus innings of work and was perfect through 4.2 innings. But the Cowboys staged a late rally with their season on the line.
With one out in the top of the ninth, Ivie walked two straight batters with the bases loaded to cut the Bruin lead to one before coaxing a sharp ground ball out of Duren. Shortstop Jared Breen stepped on second base himself and threw over to first baseman Zach Johnson to retire Duren for the final out.
Belmont will take on the loser of tonight’s game between Vanderbilt and Troy tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. Oklahoma State has been eliminated from the tournament.
