LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine University baseball team will face Ashland University in the first game of the 2013 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional on Thursday at noon (11 a.m. CDT) in Springfield, Mo.
 
The Knights (29-21), who earned the No. 6 seed and automatic berth into the field following their successful run through the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament last weekend, will open play against the top-seeded Eagles (36-17), winners of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
Opening game probable starter Kyle Grana comes into the matchup with a 5-2 record and 2.56 earned run average in a team-high 59.2 innings pitched for the Knights.  His 83 strikeouts this season are the most by a Bellarmine pitcher since 2009 (Michael Thompson, 118).
 
At the plate, the Knights are led by centerfielder Austin Crutcher and his .348 batting average.  Left fielder Jes Staples (.339), first baseman Michael Morrissette (.322), and designated hitter Cody Scheler (.319) are the other Knights batting over .300 on the season.
 
The double-elimination tournament will be played through Sunday, with the surviving team advancing to the NCAA Division II College World Series from May 25 through June 5 in Cary, N.C.  Other teams in the six-team Midwest Regional include host and No. 2 seed Drury University (40-14), who will face No. 5 seed Lewis University (31-16), and No. 3 seed Grand Valley State University (31-16), who will conclude opening day play against No. 4 seed St. Joseph's College (30-18).
 
Fans can follow all the action of the tournament via live stats and the regional website.