CHARLESTON, Ill. — Eastern Illinois broke open a tight contest against the Bellarmine University baseball team with a four-run eighth inning in pulling away from the Knights for a 9-4 win at Coaches Stadium.

Casey Sorg provided most of the offense for Bellarmine (1-15), compiling two of the Knights' five hits against Eastern Illinois (3-11). The junior first baseman doubled and scored on an RBI ground out by sophomore shortstop Luke Scales in the fourth before lacing a two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh to cut BU's deficit to 5-4.

Eastern Illinois' offense had been relatively quiet since the third inning, but the Panthers plated four runs in the eighth, the big blow a three-run homer by Lucas Loos.

Senior right-hander Devin Ecklar tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief for Bellarmine. Senior right-hander Nolan Pender and sophomore right-hander Holden Groher notched a scoreless frame each. 

Bellarmine will open ASUN play with a three-game series Friday-Sunday at FGCU. First pitch for the Friday opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (ET).

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