Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine University baseball team opened its 2013 season today with a pair of thrilling victories over the University of Findlay at Knights Field, winning 4-3 in the opener and 3-2 in an extra inning affair in game two.

In the opener, Bellarmine scored four times in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the victory with Andy Gehr coming through in the clutch with a two-out, two-run single to plate Graham Spencer and pinch runner Jes Staples with the winning runs. Michael Morrissette, Cole Metcalfe, Spencer and pinch hitter Joel Trewatha helped set up Gehr's heroics with four straight singles.

The Knights were fortunate not to be down by a larger margin thanks to a correct, but rare call.  In the top of the seventh, the Oilers' Blake Schmenk hit a clean single up the middle that appeared to have scored Findlay's third and fourth runs of the game.  However, Bellarmine appealed that Findlay's second runner—Joe Sickler—failed to touch third base, and he was ruled out, which ended the inning.

Bellarmine's Phil Forbis picked up the win in relief of Kyle Grana, who pitched five solid innings, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out five.

The Knights' offense was held in check until the last inning, when Bellarmine connected for five of their seven hits.

In game two, Bellarmine plated two unearned runs in the first inning when Findlay pitcher overthrew the first baseman on a pickoff attempt, allowing Alec Bahnick to score from third and Philip Leopold to hustle all the around from first. 

It seemed that those two runs would hold up as Bellarmine starter Curtis McCombs cruised through most of his six innings of work after a shaky start.  Schmenk led off the game for the Oilers with a sharp double to right center and Jon Shollenberger followed with a single to right.  A sacrifice fly scored Schmenk, as McCombs recovered and didn't allow another hit until the sixth.

The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Knights until the sixth when, with one out, McCombs hit a batter and walked the next.  Oiler third baseman Victor Migliore loaded the bases with a single to left.  That would be the last hit for Findlay on the day, but another sacrifice fly tied the game 2-2 before McCombs struck out catcher Garrett Bush to end the inning.

The Knights had a runners  at first and second in the bottom half of the inning, but a hard hit ball off the bat of Austin Crutcher was right at Migliore who stepped on third to end the inning.

Solid relief pitching by Justin Strohmeier and freshman Austin Warner kept the Oilers off the scoreboard in the seventh and eighth innings, and the Knights appeared to be going quietly in the eighth with a strike out and fly out.  However, Metcalfe reached base by way of a walk then got himself into scoring position by stealing second.  Spencer also drew a walk, and with runners at first and second, Findlay pulled in their outfielders to a shallow depth to cut down the possible winning run at the plate.  However, Bellarmine's Trewatha made they ploy backfire as he delivered a hit well over the head of the pulled in left fielder, allowing Metcalfe to scamper home with the winning run.

With the doubleheader sweep, Bellarmine starts the 2013 season 2-0.  The Oilers, who also were making their 2013 debut, open the season 0-2.

The same two teams will battle again tomorrow in a doubleheader that is scheduled for two 7-inning games beginning at noon.

BOX SCORE GAME 1

BOX SCORE GAME 2