LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- Having a flare for the dramatics, the Bellarmine University softball team won two extra inning games over the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers on Friday afternoon in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. With the two wins the Knights improve to 24-18 on the year, and move into sole possession of third place in the GLVC East with a 15-9 record.

Game 1: Bellarmine 3, Wisconsin-Parkside 2 (8 innings)

Bellarmine scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings in the opener before getting a walk-off single with one out in the eighth from junior Madi Ratliff.

The visiting Rangers went up 1-0 in the top of the first as Diana Gordon scored on a fielder's choice to first. Wisconsin-Parkside tacked on their second and final run of the game in the sixth on a single up the middle by Kelynn Sporer to push the lead to 2-0. Wisconsin-Parkside could have done more damage, loading the bases with just one out, but Alicia Miller got Cecie Portillo to line out, then struck out Lexi Sotiros to end the threat.

Leaving runners on base plagued the Knights as well in the opener, stranding 15 runners throughout the game, including leaving the bases loaded in sixth and seventh inning. The Knights also missed a chance in the fourth on a failed squeeze play that resulted in Casey Cleary being tagged out trying to score.

Megan Murdoch ignited the rally in the seventh, sending the first pitch she saw over the right field fence for her ninth homer of the season. Wisconsin-Parkside then became their own worst enemy, first allowing Erin Sireno to move into scoring position at second on a wild pitch.

Then with two outs, left fielder Colleen Cummings dropped a foul ball that would have ended the game, giving freshman Scarlett Powers second life. After Powers walked, senior Kaitlyn Morley doubled to left field to bring in the tying run.

Miller retired the Rangers in order in the top of the eighth to set up a dramatic finish for the Knights. Lauren Summe led off the bottom half of the inning with a double to right center, advancing to third on a groundout by Murdoch. Ratliff's single over the left fielder's head was the difference, as the junior third basemen finished game one 2-3 from the plate with two walks.

Miller picked up her 12th win from the rubber, tossing 8.0 innings, giving up 10 hits and striking out three.

Box Score

Game 2: Bellarmine 2, Wisconsin-Parkside 1 (8 innings)

Sireno played the part of the hero in the finale, bringing Hannah Daunahauer around from second in the eighth to propel the Knights to the sweep.

Wisconsin-Parkside scored their only run of game two in the third when Sotiros tagged up on Gordon's foul out to deep right. Bellarmine could not capitalize in the bottom of the third, leaving the bases juiced with one out after a Morley strikeout and Ratliff popping up to the right fielder.

Amanda Meyer started the game in the circle for BU, pitching 5.0 innings before giving way to Miller in relief. The freshman from Alexandria, Ky. shut the door on Wisconsin-Parkside, tossing 3.0 innings while giving up only one hit to earn the win.

Late in the contest, Bellarmine again took advantage of errors by Parkside, putting runners on first and third with one out in the sixth thanks to two errors and a passed ball by UWP. Pinch running, Cleary tied the game at 1-1 when she easily scored from third on a sac fly by Powers.

With one out in the eighth, Daunhauer doubled to the gap in left center move into scoring position. After a strikeout by Powers, Sireno singled up the middle push the Knights to victory, 2-1.

Box Score

Bellarmine returns to action on Saturday, hosting the Lewis Flyers at Knights Field for a doubleheader, first pitch is scheduled for noon.