LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Bellarmine University baseball team snapped its string of shutouts, but the Knights still fell 12-2 to Liberty in ASUN action Friday at Liberty Baseball Stadium.

Liberty (26-27, 16-13 ASUN) clinched the series after taking the first two games against Bellarmine (12-42, 7-22). The Knights trailed 4-2 after four innings, but the Flames scored four runs apiece in the fifth and eighth, the latter triggering the run-rule.

Bellarmine had been shut out in its three previous games, including the series opener against Liberty. The Knights ended that streak in the third inning after senior outfielder Dylan Byerly, freshman shortstop Luke Scales and freshman third baseman Brady Morse drew consecutive walks with two outs, and senior designated hitter Ashton Smith forced in a run after being hit by a pitch.

Senior center fielder Will Aubel then drove in a second run after beating out an infield single. Bellarmine was unable to sustain the run production, as the Knights went scoreless at the plate over the final five innings.

Bellarmine made some spectacular plays in the field. Senior second baseman Peyton Back had a diving stop, and Aubel and freshman right fielder Joey Milto sprawled out to make grabs, with Milto's momentum taking him into the wall on his catch.

Back collected two of Bellarmine's six hits. Freshman catcher Charlie Rife doubled off the wall.

The teams will conclude the series at 1 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

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