LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky rallied to not only take the lead, but take control, with a seven-run fifth inning in defeating the Bellarmine University baseball team 17-7 Saturday in Atlantic Sun Conference play at Earle Combs Stadium.

Eastern Kentucky (16-31, 10-13 ASUN) clinched the series against Bellarmine (7-39, 6-17) after capturing the first two games. The Colonels compiled 19 hits highlighted by Tait Nunnally's 4-for-5 outing that included two homers, two doubles and five RBI.

After launching a grand slam in the series opener, Charlie Rife belted a three-run homer in the second inning to stake Bellarmine to a 4-3 lead. Along with his fifth homer, the sophomore catcher added a two-run single in the seventh that was the Knights' last gasp, cutting a now-large deficit to 11-7.

Senior left-hander Thomas Sylvester recovered from Eastern Kentucky's three-run first inning to follow with 3.0 scoreless frames. The turning point came after he departed after 4.0 solid innings of work, as the Colonels piled up seven runs in the fifth, a stanza that included four walks in addition to five hits.

After Rife collected his fourth and fifth RBI in the seventh to make it a four-run game, Eastern Kentucky answered with two runs in the bottom half and reached the run-rule after plating four more runs in the eighth.

Rife notched two hits, as did senior designated hitter Davis Crane and junior second baseman Andres Castro, whose knocks were both doubles. Sophomore third baseman Brady Morse added an RBI double while driving in two.

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).