SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hunter Spencer fired a complete game in leading the visiting Bellarmine University baseball team to a 5-1 win over Illinois Springfield after the Knights dropped the opener 8-4 on Saturday in Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader action.

Spencer, who began the season as a primary reliever before injuries to other staff members thrust him into starting duty, improved to 5-1 on the season for Bellarmine (18-16, 9-5 GLVC). The sophomore left-hander tossed seven innings against UIS (18-15, 7-7) and allowed one earned run on nine hits with four strikeouts against two walks.

Spencer collected his third complete game and lowered his ERA to 1.81. The southpaw held the Prairie Stars scoreless over the first six innings before they avoided the shutout with a run in the seventh. UIS loaded the bases with two outs in that final frame and had the tying run at the plate before Spencer induced a fly out to end the game.

Illinois Springfield struck early in the opener, but the Knights jumped out in front in the finale. Senior center fielder Jes Staples led off the game with a single, stole second and scored on a UIS error for a 1-0 lead.

Bellarmine added two more runs in the second after the first two batters struck out. Junior designated hitter Michael Belliveau and sophomore second baseman Trevor Lines drew consecutive walks, and Staples made the Prairie Stars pay with a two-run double to left center.

The Knights added another run in the fifth, again after recording two outs to start the inning. Sophomore shortstop Drew Greenwood singled, advanced to second on a walk by sophomore catcher Brady Pfaadt and scored on freshman right fielder Alex Phillips' RBI single. BU added a final two-out run in the sixth for a 5-0 lead.

Staples was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Greenwood and Phillips chipped in one hit apiece as did senior third baseman Cole Metcalfe, who tripled.

The first game was a wash for Bellarmine. Illinois Springfield scored three runs in the first, four in the second and one in the third for an 8-0 lead. The Prairie Stars didn't score again, but the damage was done.

Freshman right-hander Kyle Beach was a bright spot for Bellarmine, working 6.1 innings of relief and allowing only two hits and one run while striking out seven.

Staples cranked his third homer of the season, and sophomore designated hitter Alex Ralph had a pair of hits.

The two teams will meet in another doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday at UIS.

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GAME 1 BOX SCORE (HTM)
GAME 2 BOX SCORE (HTM)