CLINTON, S.C. — The Bellarmine University baseball team staved off a bid by Presbyterian for a second straight shutout with a four-run ninth, but the Blue Hose had already built a comfortable cushion on their way to an 8-4 win Sunday over the Knights at PC Baseball Complex.

With the victory, Presbyterian (7-5) completed a three-game series sweep of Bellarmine (1-12). The Knights outhit the Blue Hose 9-8, but they left 10 runners on base and trailed 8-0 heading into the ninth after Presbyterian scored two runs in the second, four in the third and two in the sixth.

Bellarmine was in jeopardy of getting blanked again after Saturday's 5-0 loss before scoring four runs in the last inning. Senior shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer followed singles by junior pinch hitter Tommy Dilz and senior center fielder Jack Ockerman with a two-run double.

Senior left fielder Matt Higgins then brought in Mehlbauer with a two-run homer, his second long ball of the season. Senior third baseman Colin Bertsch recorded his third hit before Presbyterian sealed the win.

Bertsch went 3-for-5 while Mehlbauer and Higgins were both 2-for-5. The Knights also had some solid performances out of the bullpen, as freshman righthander Casey Sorg did not allow a run in 1.2 innings while sophomore righthander Zac Common, senior lefthander Nick Parrish and junior righthander Joe Wilkinson all tossed 1.0 scoreless inning.

Bellarmine will make its home debut when the Knights host Morehead State at 2 p.m. (ET) Tuesday.

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