FLORENCE, Ala. -- Bellarmine baseball dropped the third game of their weekend Atlantic Sun conference series at North Alabama 11-1, with the Lions clinching the series as a result.  

Landon Akers got the Knights off to a quick start, hitting a lead-off double to center field to begin the game.  After being walked and advancing to second on a fielders' choice, Joey Milto reached home on a throwing error by the UNA shortstop to give the Knights the early 1-0 lead.  The Knights were then able to load the bases following a wild pitch and another walk, but failed to do any further damage in the inning.  The Lions responded with a pair of doubles and a pair of singles in the bottom of the inning, plating two runs to take a 2-1 lead going into the second.

The Knights were able to get lead-off runners onto second base in both the second and third innings, but could not take advantage.  UNA hit two solo homers to left field in the bottom of the third and scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to up their lead to 6-1.  Milto hit a double to left field in the top of the fifth and advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out, but the Knights were unable to send him home.  After the Knights again could not capitalize with runners on second in the top of both the sixth and seventh innings, UNA sent two more runners home in the bottom of the sixth and scored three in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

Akers recorded two of Bellarmine's five hits, both of which were doubles.  Milto also doubled while Casey Sorg and Jacob Rowold both singled.

Up next, the Knights will hit the road again for a pair of midweek contests.  They will travel to Oxford, Ohio, on Tuesday to take on the Miami (OH) Redhawks with first pitch scheduled for 3 p,m. (ET). They will then head to Evansville, Indiana, to take on the Screaming Eagles of Southern Indiana on Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow the Knights on X, Instagram and Facebook.