LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University baseball team was defeated 5-2 by Liberty on Friday in ASUN action at Knights Field.

Senior left fielder Chris Gambert smashed his fifth home run of the season in the fourth, a two-run blast that provided Bellarmine (7-12, 3-4 ASUN) a 2-1 lead in the series opener. However, senior third baseman Josh Finerty's single in the fifth represented the Knights' only other hit against Liberty (15-5, 4-0).

Liberty took a 3-2 lead in the sixth with a two-run homer of its own, by Will Wagner, and added a run each in the eighth and ninth as the Flames captured their 13th straight win. Trey McDyre had a solo homer in the third as the long ball played a big role in the initial game between the Knights and Flames.

For the most part, the contest was a pitcher's duel. Senior right-hander Deylen Miley (3-3) fired a career-high 8.0 innings and fanned a career-best 10 batters for Bellarmine while allowing four runs on five hits.

Trevor Delalte (3-1) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out seven in 5.0 innings pitched in earning the win. The Flames used three different relievers after Delalte departed, with Fraser Ellard pitching a scoreless ninth to collect a save.

Bellarmine and Liberty will meet at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday in the second of the three-game series.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).

BOX SCORE (HTM)