LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine University Knights baseball squad had the luck of the Irish on their side Saturday afternoon, as they defeated Great Lakes Volley Conference (GLVC) opponent the University of Illinois Springfield in a doubleheader match at Knights Field.

With the wins, the Knights (8-6, 2-0 GLVC), who wore green socks to commemorate the holiday, extended their win streak to five.

GAME 1: BU 12, UIS 5

Shortstop Justin Eberenz led the Knights offensive attack in the first game, with three hits, three RBI, and one run scored.

Both squads started out the first inning on the board. Bellarmine took advantage of a leadoff walk and an error to score their first run. The Knights batted through the order, and combined for six runs and six hits.

After being retired in order in the second, the Knights jumped back into action in the bottom of the third. Eberenz singled to left field to score Philip Leopold, which brought the Knights to a 7-2 lead.

The Knights were retired in order yet again in the fourth and fifth innings before topping off their score in the sixth. Eberenz doubled to left field and was later knocked home by a two RBI single from Andy Gehr. Catcher Kyle Roden slammed a double down the right field line to plate Mike Morrisette, and Leopold followed up with a two RBI single to left center.

Bellarmine RHP Jason Sterrett (1-1) earned his first win of the season in Game One. He went five innings, and gave up two runs off five hits. He struck out three.

Reliever Ryan Dixon pitched a solid 1.2 innings to end the game for the Knights. He struck out one and did not give up any hits or runs.

PrairieStars RHP Barry Arnett  was charged with the loss. He went only two thirds of an inning, and gave up six runs off six hits.

USI's Jacob Frerichs threw an impressive 2.1 innings of relief to close out the first game. He did not give up any runs or hits in seven batters faced.

GAME 2: BU 9, UIS 1

A strong group offensive effort from the get-go was again the secret to success for the Knights in the second game. Catcher Sam Burke went two for three with three RBI and designated hitter Kyle Roden contributed two hits and two RBI to help lead the Knights to victory.

The Knights jumpstarted their offense in the first with four runs scored off three hits, including Burke's two RBI triple to left field.

Gehr doubled to right field with two outs in the second, and then scored when Kal Scheler reached on an error by UIS second baseman Jason Pinkerton.

Scoreless third and fourth innings for Bellarmine led to another run added in the fifth, and a 6-0 lead.
UIS scored their lone run of the game as right fielder Tyler Lau singled up the middle to plate Nate Blessman.

The Knights scored three more runs in a long sixth inning stretch. Roden tripled down the left field line to knock in two of the runs.

Bellarmine starting pitcher Kyle Grana (2-1) had a great game, as he gave up only one run and five hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

Relievers Matt Bayes and Cory Thomas combined for excellent relief for the Knights, giving up only one hit against five batters faced.

USI's Stephen Siegel (0-3) was unable to earn his first win. He went five innings, and gave up six runs off nine hits.

The Knights swing back into action Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader against GLVC foe Quincy University. First pitch is set for noon at Knights Field.

BOX SCORE GAME ONE

BOX SCORE GAME TWO