FLORENCE, Ala.--The Bellarmine University baseball team opened its season with a doubleheader at North Alabama, falling 10-4 and 2-1 to the Lions, who also were making their 2010 debut.  Thanks to the unusually cold and snowy February in Louisville, the games marked the first time the Knights had competed outside this year.

GAME 1

Bellarmine opened the first inning stranding two runners when designated hitter David Weinstein lined out after Braxton Graven and Pat Brady each drew walks. In the bottom half of the inning, Knights' game one starter Aaron Deatherage started the season by striking out the first batter he faced.  After allowing a single, Deathage picked off the runner at first and then retired the No. 3 batter on a liner to right field to complete a scoreless first.

The Lions were first to break into the scoring column, plating three runs in the bottom of the second on just one hit.  The home team tacked three more in the bottom of the fourth to go up 6-0.

All of Bellarmine's scoring came in the top of the fifth. Chris Wiedmar recorded the first RBI for the Knights in 2010 when his single brought home catcher Kyle Roden, who had reached on error.  After Graven singled to load the bases, Brady hit a bases clearing double to record three RBI.

North Alabama wrapped up the game one scoring in the sixth inning with four runs on four hits. 

BOX SCORE

GAME 2

The Knights were hard luck losers in the nightcap, falling 2-1 as the winning run scored as a result of a bases-loaded hit batsman.

Bellarmine had broken up a pitchers' duel in the top of the sixth when Kal Scheler scored from third on a fielder's choice off the bat of Pat Brady.  

In the bottom of the inning,  the Lions opened with a double and a sacrifice, and Coach Deron Spink called in a reliever for starter Braxton Graven.  North Alabama greeted the new pitcher—Phil Forbis—with two singles to tie the game.

Again, Spink went to the bullpen as Samuel Robinson came on to record the second second out of the inning on a pop fly to the shortstop.  Robinson then hit the next batter to load the bases, then hit the next batter to allow the winning run to score.

BOX SCORE

The series concludes with a single game on Sunday.