NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fueled by a six-run second inning, the Bellarmine University baseball team rolled to an 11-4 win over Belmont on Tuesday at E.S. Rose Park in the Knights' first midweek game of 2026.

Bellarmine (2-2) piled up 16 hits and five stolen bases against the Bruins (1-3), with three of the team's four extra-base hits coming in the pivotal second inning. Senior third baseman Luke Scales and freshman left fielder Cole Huett both launched two-run homers in the frame.

It was the first collegiate long ball for Huett, and first of the season for the veteran Scales. The Knights weren't done, as senior first baseman AJ Swader followed with a two-run double. All told, Bellarmine racked up six hits and six runs in the frame.

Huett went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two stolen bases. He had an RBI single in the third and Swader followed with one in the fourth to push the lead to 8-0.

In his first start as a Knight, senior right-hander Deaton Oak was perfect through four innings. Belmont did manage to plate three runs in the fifth before junior left-hander Aaron Ragat entered and allowed no further damage. Ragat (1-0) earned the win behind 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.

Belmont crept within 8-4 in the seventh, but Bellarmine put the game away for good with a three-run eighth. Senior right fielder Eli Watson had a two-run single and followed by combining with Swader for a double steal that produced a run.

In addition to Huett, Watson and sophomore shortstop Landon Akers notched three hits apiece. Akers had a double among his base knocks and scored three runs. Scales and Swader had two hits each.

Senior right-handers Cade Rusch and Oliver Ward both tossed an inning of scoreless relief.

Bellarmine will play a three-game series Friday-Sunday at Georgia State. First pitches are scheduled for 4 p.m. (ET), 3 p.m. and 1 p.m.

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