CHARLESTON, SC —
Ben Reel secured his first win as the head coach of the Bellarmine University baseball team as the Knights defeated Charleston Southern 10-5 in a series finale Sunday at CSU Ballpark.
Bellarmine (1-9) exploded for six runs in the first inning and got a strong collective effort on the mound from a trio of hurlers in taking down the Bucs (8-2). It was the fewest amount of runs the Knights have surrendered this season.
Sophomore right-hander
Zach Horwith struck out three while allowing three runs in 4.0 innings. Junior right-hander
Oliver Ward earned his first win in a Bellarmine uniform after yielding a single earned run in 3.2 innings of relief, and senior right-hander
Cooper Hellman sewed it up by fanning two in 1.1 scoreless frames.
Although it would add insurance, all the scoring Bellarmine required to win came in the first inning, when the Knights ripped off six runs on five hits. The Knights batted around and freshman second baseman
Landon Akers doubled twice in the inning.
After Bellarmine quickly loaded the bases, junior left fielder
Eli Watson got the outburst started with a two-run single. Junior third baseman
Luke Scales followed with an RBI single, junior designated hitter
Brady Morse drove in a run on a ground out and junior catcher
Charlie Rife delivered an RBI single.
Bellarmine scored its sixth run of the inning on Akers' second double of the frame. He and Rife paced the Knights' 11-hit attack with three apiece while Watson collected two.
Bellarmine had another big inning in the third, when it plated three runs. The Knights had four straight singles, with senior shortstop
Seth Sweet-Chick driving in a run on his knock. Junior right fielder
Joey Milto forced in a run by drawing a bases-loaded walk, and senior center fielder
Casey Sorg upped the lead to 9-3 on an RBI on a fielder's choice.
Bellarmine's final run came in the sixth, when Watson doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Bellarmine will host Dayton at 2 p.m. (ET) Tuesday.
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