ROLLA, Mo. — With a single exception, Zac Wiley's right arm had been showcased exclusively from the outfield over the last two seasons.

But on Sunday at S&T Ballpark, with the Bellarmine University baseball team embroiled in a tense and critical contest with Missouri S&T, the senior right-hander made a comeback of sorts, returning to the mound to throw 5.0 scoreless innings while sophomore shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer drove in the winning run in a 6-5 victory over the Miners in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.

Fighting for a spot in the eight-team GLVC Tournament, Bellarmine (26-19, 17-13 GLVC) captured two of three games in the series against Missouri S&T (27-15, 19-11), which is fourth in the league. The Knights are in a three-way tie for seventh, essentially holding serve in the standings after their clutch performance in the series finale against the Miners.

That Wiley was a hero of the game would surprise no one with any familiarity with Bellarmine baseball. However, that same crowd would likely be stunned if told beforehand that the veteran's work on the mound, and not in the batter's box, would be the primary reason for the glowing distinction — although, to be fair, his handiwork with the stick also played a crucial role in the win.

Before Sunday, Wiley (1-0) had pitched just once over the last two years, throwing 2.2 innings against Southern Indiana on March 26 after not making an appearance last season. There was no evidence of rust, as he jogged in from right field during the eighth inning and proceeded to throw 5.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out four.

The 5.0 innings pitched was his longest outing since his redshirt freshman season in 2016, when he tossed 7.0 in March against Northwood. Wiley retired the final five Miners, setting them down in order in the 12th and securing the win with a game-ending strikeout. The righty faced the Nos. 2-4 hitters in that last frame.

Wiley helped set up his long outing on the mound with his bat. Bellarmine took a 4-0 lead in the top of the second, but Missouri S&T scored five unanswered runs to gain a 5-4 advantage after eight innings. The Knights were immediately in business in the ninth as Wiley led off with his second double of the game, and junior catcher Chris Gambert moved him to third with a single.

Wiley scored the tying run on a squeeze bunt by freshman Jack Ockerman, who took Wiley's place in right field when Wiley switched to the mound. The teams then followed with two and a half scoreless innings.

In the top of the 12th, senior first baseman Tyler Neeley led off with a single, and sophomore pinch runner Justin Rouse advanced to second on a throwing error. With one out, Mehlbauer laced a single through the left side, and Rouse raced home safely with the go-ahead run. Wiley made sure it was the winning run with a 1-2-3 bottom half of work on the mound.

Bellarmine's first four batters of the game recorded hits as the Knights jumped on the Miners for a 3-0 lead. Gambert followed Wiley's RBI double with an RBI single, and junior designated hitter Deylen Miley lifted a sacrifice fly. Miley drew a bases-loaded walk in the second inning for a 4-0 lead, but the Knights wouldn't score again until the ninth as the Miners displayed their customary strong relief pitching.

Senior left-hander Alex Phillips was outstanding in a no-decision for Bellarmine, tying a career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on only three hits in 7.0 innings.

Wiley, Gambert, Mehlbauer and sophomore outfielder Matt Higgins collected two hits apiece for the Knights, who will conclude the regular season by hosting Illinois Springfield in a three-game series Friday and Saturday.

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