RICHMOND, Ky. — Michael Schuler finished one out shy of a complete game in leading Eastern Kentucky to a 5-3 win over the Bellarmine University baseball team on Friday in ASUN action at Earle Combs Stadium.

In the series opener between the Knights (3-18, 1-3 ASUN) and Colonels (15-8, 3-1), Schuler earned the victory after tossing 8.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out eight. Will Brian recorded the final out, amassing his ninth save in the process.

Junior right fielder Robert Sproul collected RBIs on all three of Bellarmine's runs. He had an RBI double in the seventh and a two-run double in the ninth.

Sproul, sophomore first baseman Davis Crane, senior designated hitter Jacob Mulcahy and senior center fielder Jack Ockerman notched two hits apiece for the Knights.

Bellarmine's pitching was solid. Junior righthander Nolan Pender allowed four earned runs and had four strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched. Junior lefthander Steven Thom followed by fanning three in 2.0 scoreless innings.

Eastern Kentucky's key inning offensively was the third, when the Colonels scored three runs to take a 4-0 lead. They added one run in the seventh.

The second of the three-game series will unfold at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

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