LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Central Arkansas held off a ninth-inning rally by the Bellarmine University baseball team in securing an Atlantic Sun Conference series-clinching 10-7 win over the Knights on Sunday afternoon at Knights Field.

A five-run eighth by Central Arkansas (14-20, 8-7 ASUN) broke up a 3-3 tie. The performance of right-handed reliever Cooper King was instrumental in the series finale for the Bears, as he allowed two runs over 6.1 innings pitched, including a stretch of six straight scoreless frames against the Knights (9-26, 5-10).

Bellarmine didn't have a hit in the ninth inning, but significant control problems by Central Arkansas enabled the Knights to score four runs after facing a 10-3 deficit. The Bears' Gavin Alveti entered with the bases loaded and the tying run on deck and managed to induce three straight ground outs, the first two plating a run each and the last ending the contest.

Bellarmine took a 3-1 lead in the second on RBI singles by freshman Christian Kiper, junior Zac Jones and freshman Landon Akers. The Bears, who bookended the series with wins, managed to keep the Knights off the board after that until the ninth.

Bellarmine had its share of control issues as well, as walks played a big role in Central Arkansas' game-changing, five-run eighth. The Bears also amassed 13 hits while limiting the Knights to five.

Junior Luke Scales had a pair of hits for Bellarmine. Sophomore left-hander Aaron Ragat delivered an effective start, surrendering three runs with four strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

Bellarmine will play at 6 p.m. (ET) Tuesday at Tennessee.

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