Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 RENSSELAER, Ind.—The Bellarmine University baseball team spilt a doubleheader  with the host St. Joseph's Pumas today in Great Lakes Valley Conference action at Gil Hodges Field.  The Knights took the opener 4-3, and the Pumas came back to win the nightcap 13-3.

In the 9-inning opener, the Knights got solid pitching and clutch hitting in a game that was decided in the pivotal eighth inning. The frame opened harmlessly with two straight outs by the Knights before catcher Nick Hladek worked an 0-2 count into a 10-pitch at-bat resulting in a walk.  He then stole second before Justin Eberenz slapped a 3-2 pitch into right field to score Hladek and break a 3-3 tie.

In the bottom half of the inning, Bellarmine pitcher Curtis McCombs--who was on in relief of Kyle Grana—worked out of bases-loaded jam with a 2-out strike out. 

The Knights outhit the Pumas 10-7 for the game with center fielder Austin Crutcher leading the way for Bellarmine with a 4-for-5 performance.  Jes Staples and Michael Morrissette also posted multi-hit games for the Knights.

On the mound, Grana provided a quality start, going six and two-thirds and striking out 14 while issuing just one walk and surrendering three earned runs.  McCombs picked up the win, and Justin Strohmeier worked a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his fourth save of the season.

In the second game, which was scheduled for seven innings, St. Joseph's plated three first inning runs to take the early lead.  After the Pumas extended their lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Bellarmine battled back with three runs in the top of the fourth.  However, the Pumas put the game away with seven runs in the home half of the inning. 

The split moves Bellarmine to 17-12 overall and 12-6 in league play, which leaves them in second place in the GLVC East, just percentage points ahead of St. Joseph's at 13-7 (17-12 overall).

The two teams square off again tomorrow with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. (noon CDT).