LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Bellarmine University senior Chris Wiedmar belted a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to put an exclamation point on a 7-run inning as the Knights came back from an 8-0 deficit to defeat cross town rival Spalding University 14-10 tonight at Derby City Field.

The Golden Eagles jumped on Bellarmine early, scoring six times in the opening frame and tacking on two more in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 8-0 lead after two.

After going through two pitchers in just two innings, the Knights got solid performances from relievers Cory Thomas, Matt Bayes and Samuel Robinson to help keep the Spalding offense in check.  The situation was reversed for the Golden Eagles. After getting a solid performance out of starting pitcher Corey Bush, the relievers failed to hold the lead as the Knights stormed back. 

As the game moved into the eighth, Bellarmine had whittled the Spalding lead to just 9-6.  Leadoff batter Kal Scheler reached on an error and Mike Morrissette walked to set up an RBI opportunity for the Knights' leading hitter Patrick Brady, but the slugger from Lexington popped up to first base as it appeared the Golden Eagles had dodged a bullet.

However, the Knights refused to go quietly. Two walks and a hit batsman forced in two runs as the Knights trimmed the lead to 9-8.  Designated hitter David Weinstein then hit a single to left to knock in another run and knot the score 9-9.  Wiedmar then delivered the big blow with his towering shot over the left field fence to break the game open and give Bellarmine a 13-9 lead.

The game got interesting in a hurry, though, as Bellarmine's Samuel Robinson faced a bases loaded situation with just one out in the bottom of the eighth.  The lefty from St. Louis seemed unfazed by the situation and got a big double play to end the inning and preserve the 13-9 lead. 

Both teams tacked on runs in the ninth to make the final 14-10.

Bayes picked up the win for Bellarmine as he pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings. Spalding reliever Jordan Vandygriff was saddled with the loss. 

Bellarmine improves to 17-19 on the season while the Golden Eagles slip to 8-12.

The Knights are back in Great Lakes Valley Conference action this weekend as they host Missouri S&T in a four game set with back to back doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.  First pitch is scheduled for noon both days.

BOX SCORE