NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An exceptional start by senior right-hander
Jacob Nagel and a five-run ninth propelled the Bellarmine University baseball team to a 7-5 win over Lipscomb in ASUN action Friday at Dugan Field.
Nagel (1-1), who has been inserted into the starting rotation after an injury on the staff, allowed a single run on three hits with four strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched while earning the win for Bellarmine (9-15, 5-6 ASUN). The righty has gone 15-plus innings in two starts since joining the rotation after typically being among the Knights' primary relievers.
Bellarmine entered the ninth with a slim 2-1 lead over Lipscomb (9-12, 3-5) after ending the eighth by throwing a Bison out at home plate. In the final frame, the Knights blew up for five runs, most of which were ultimately needed.
Sophomore center fielder
Robert Sproul got things going by getting hit by a pitch and immediately stealing second. Senior third baseman
Josh Finerty and junior shortstop
Clayton Mehlbauer followed with singles, the latter scoring Sproul.
Senior left fielder
Chris Gambert and junior right fielder
Jacob Mulcahy made it four singles in a row, with Mulcahy driving in Finerty. Junior designated hitter
Jack Ockerman pushed in another run with a bases-loaded walk, senior second baseman
Justin Rouse lifted a sacrifice fly and freshman first baseman
Noah Nelson ripped an RBI double as the lead swelled to 7-1.
In Thursday's series opener, Lipscomb erased a 7-0 deficit in capturing a 9-7 win, and the Bisons rallied once again in Game 2. Lipscomb scored four runs, highlighted by a three-run homer by Haddon Adams, and had the tying run at the plate with two outs in the ninth before Bellarmine sophomore left-hander
Nick Parrish entered and clinched the win with a strikeout.
Nelson went 4-for-5 for Bellarmine, which amassed 13 hits. Finerty, Mehlbauer and Mulcahy added two hits apiece. Finerty had a two-run double to open the scoring in the fifth.
Bellarmine and Lipscomb will conclude the three-game series at 3 p.m. (ET) Saturday.
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