BOWLING GREEN, Ky.— Bellarmine ended its weekend at the Hilltopper Classic with a 3-1 loss to Central Michigan on Sunday.

It was Bellarmine's second game against the Chippewas and remained tight the entire way.  CMU's two early runs in the first inning, however, loomed large in a two-run victory.

Knights pitcher Carson Goatley retired the initial two batters in the home half of the first inning, but the inning was extended when Shannon Stein reached on a throwing error with two outs.  The next batter, Caitlyn Britton homered to left-center field, scoring two unearned runs and giving Central Michigan an early leg up.

After a pair of quick innings, the Knights responded in the fourth, cutting the lead down to one.  Hannah Webb singled to left center, and with one out, Megan Konermann walked.  Alexis Hargrove grounded into a fielder's choice, pushing Webb to third with two outs.  Chloe Collins then singled up the middle to drive home Webb - Bellarmine's only run of the day.

The Knights couldn't manage another base-runner the rest of the game, and Central Michigan tacked on an insurance run in the sixth to close out the win.
Goatley pitched all six innings for Bellarmine, allowing 10 hits but only one earned run.  Grace Lehto nabbed the complete game victory for Central Michigan.  Webb led the Knights at the plate with a pair of singles.

Bellarmine finished the weekend 1-4, with an opening game victory against tournament runner-up SEMO.  Western Kentucky went 5-0 to win the Hilltopper Classic.

Next, BU plays its home opener against Green Bay on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Knights Field.  Bellarmines faces Western Michigan that afternoon at 1:00 p.m. before playing those same teams in a double-header on Sunday.

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