LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University baseball team opened its 2026 campaign Friday with an 8-2 loss to Middle Tennessee at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

The failure to capitalize on a gaggle of early opportunities loomed large for Bellarmine (0-1). The Knights piled up seven hits in the first three innings alone but had a lone run to show for it.

Middle Tennessee (1-0) finished with only two more hits than Bellarmine at 11-9, but the Blue Raiders registered two homers and five doubles. A four-run third punctuated by a pair of long balls was MTSU's big inning, but the Blue Raiders tacked on two runs apiece in the fifth and sixth.

Middle Tennessee's crew of relievers got in a groove, limiting Bellarmine to two hits over the last six innings. The Knights scored one run each in the third and the fourth.

Senior second baseman Sawyer Pace had an RBI double while going 2-for-3 in his Bellarmine debut. Sophomore designated hitter Mason Acton also had a pair of hits. Senior first baseman AJ Swader and junior center fielder Luca Hoerger notched their first respective hits in a Knights uniform, with Hoerger's being a double.

Senior right-hander Cole McMichael and junior left-hander Carson Brower each tossed 1.0 scoreless inning of relief.

In a change to the schedule, Bellarmine and Middle Tennessee will now complete the series with a 1 p.m. (ET) doubleheader Saturday. There will be no Sunday contest.

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