Belmont University Softball: Exciting Weekend Ahead
Nashville, TN – The Belmont Bruins softball team is gearing up to host the Drake Bulldogs in a crucial Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) series at E.S. Rose Park. Due to weather updates, the schedule has changed. Fans can catch a doubleheader on Thursday, April 2, starting at 2 p.m. and a single matchup on Friday, April 3, at 1 p.m. CT.
This weekend is special. In between games on Thursday, Belmont will celebrate Carolina Taylor, a Team IMPACT player, as she wraps up her final season with the team.
What’s Happening with the Bruins?
The Bruins have a solid record of 24 wins and 9 losses overall, with 11 wins and 3 losses in MVC play. They recently achieved a significant milestone by winning their first road series against Southern Illinois.
Belmont sits at the top of the MVC standings. Leading the charge is Maya Johnson, a standout pitcher with an impressive record of 17–1. She has struck out 236 batters in just 119 innings, recently reaching 1,000 career strikeouts. This makes her one of only 101 players in NCAA Division I history to hit this milestone. Johnson shines in several categories—she leads the NCAA in total strikeouts and has an astounding ERA of 0.53.
Her consistent performance has earned her numerous accolades, including the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week title seven times this season. She has also been recognized as Softball America’s April positional rankings’ top pitcher.
Belmont returned five All-MVC honorees from last season. Rylee Spindler, one of the stars, leads the conference with a batting average of .465. Fans are thrilled as the Bruins have gained attention, ranking No. 3 in D1 Softball’s Mid-Major Top 25 for several weeks in a row.
A Brief Look at the Competition
Historically, Belmont has a 5–4 record against Drake. Their last meeting ended in a Bruin victory in March 2025. This year, Drake has struggled, holding a 2–9 record in MVC play.
As the Bruins prepare for this weekend, they’re not only aiming to solidify their top spot in the MVC but also looking to build momentum after a historic 2025 season, where they finished with a 41–16 record and won the MVC Tournament Championship for the first time.
Belmont, led by head coach Laura Matthews in her sixth season, is one to watch as they continue to make their mark in NCAA softball.
For those following the action closely, all games will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available on belmontbruins.com.
Stay updated with all things Belmont softball by checking out their social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
