NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Despite a strong performance on the mound and a pair of early home runs, the Bellarmine University baseball team fell 5-4 to Lipscomb in an Atlantic Sun Conference series opener Friday night at Dugan Field.

Although Bellarmine (7-42, 6-19 ASUN) launched a pair of home runs in the third inning to take a 4-3 lead, the Knights were shut out over the final six frames by Lipscomb (20-28, 14-11). The Bisons scored the tying run in the fifth and the go-ahead run in the sixth, hanging on from there.

Bellarmine's improved pitching continued. Making a rare start, senior right-hander Ryan Johnson logged a career-high 4.1 innings pitched while striking out four and allowing four runs.

Senior right-hander Devin Ecklar didn't allow an earned run in 1.2 innings pitched. Senior right-hander Ross Goldschlag followed with 2.0 scoreless frames.

Bellarmine's offense couldn't sustain its early run production. Sophomore left fielder Joey Milto laced an RBI single in the second to provide the Knights a 1-0 lead.

After Lipscomb scored three runs in the bottom half, Bellarmine answered with three runs in the third. Sophomore shortstop Zac Jones blasted a solo homer for his first round-tripper as a Knight.

Two batters later, Casey Sorg unloaded his 14th homer of the season, a two-run blast that vaulted Bellarmine to a 4-3 lead. Sorg has gone deep in four of the last six games.

Lipscomb starter Alex Brewer settled in from there and ultimately lasted 7.0 innings. Jake Lynch and Collin Witze, who notched the save, followed with 1.0 scoreless frame each.

Junior second baseman Andres Castro doubled twice. He also stole second in the ninth to get the tying run in scoring position before Lipscomb sealed the win. Milto had two hits as well.

The second game of the series is set for 3 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

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