KENT, Ohio — Since it was the first day of a double-elimination tournament, the popular phrase "survive and advance" in relation to the NCAA Tournament didn't really apply.

However, "survive and avoid" would certainly be a fitting description.

On Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Midwest Regional 1, the fifth-seeded Bellarmine University baseball team avoided facing an elimination game as junior catcher Chris Gambert launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth, and the Knights held on for a pulse-pounding 7-6 victory over fourth-seeded Northwood at Kent State University's Schoonover Stadium.

Following its ninth straight victory, Bellarmine (34-19) will meet eighth-seeded Tiffin (25-29) at noon (ET) Friday. The Dragons upset top-seeded Ashland 17-10 after piling up 21 hits.

Northwood (33-20) built a 5-2 lead after three innings, but Bellarmine scored once in the fourth and added another run in the sixth to trim its deficit to 5-4. First-team All-GLIAC reliever Lennon Gwizdala, who led the conference with eight saves, entered to start the eighth.

After Gwizdala recorded an out, sophomore outfielder Matt Higgins rifled a single up the middle, and the Dragons followed with a throwing error that set the Knights up at first and second. Gambert cleared the bases when he pounded a three-run homer to right center that vaulted Bellarmine into the lead at 7-5. It was Gambert's 15th long ball of the season.

Junior right-hander Anthony Ethington (5-2) fired the last of his 3.0 scoreless innings of relief in the bottom half, closing the frame with a strikeout. Senior right-hander Zac Wiley then transitioned to the mound from right field to start the ninth. Things got dicey as Northwood plated a run on three hits to get within 7-6, but with the tying run on second, Wiley notched a strikeout before inducing a game-ending fly out as he registered his second save.

Relief pitching was key for Bellarmine. It began with sophomore right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who preceded Ethington with 2.0 scoreless innings where he struck out five. As a staff, the Knights posted 12 strikeouts for the game.

Sophomore third baseman Jacob Mulcahy got Bellarmine on the board in the first inning with a two-out RBI double. Gambert had a two-out RBI single in the second, senior pitcher/designated hitter Alex Phillips drove in a run in the fourth and Wiley added an RBI single in the sixth.

Gambert tallied two of Bellarmine's eight hits. Northwood had 11 hits, but the Timberwolves also hurt themselves defensively with four errors.

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