LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University baseball team fell in the series finale at Central Arkansas, dropping an 8-7 decision Sunday afternoon at Bear Stadium.
Bellarmine (7-15) jumped out to an early lead and carried momentum through the middle innings, building a six-run advantage before Central Arkansas (13-11) rallied late to secure the win.
The Knights opened the scoring in the third inning when Jake Bell delivered a solo home run to left field. Later in the frame, AJ Swader extended the lead with an RBI triple, plating Landon Akers to make it 2-0.
Bellarmine continued to produce offensively over the next several innings. In the fourth, Sawyer Pace drove in a run after reaching via hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. The Knights added two more in the fifth on back-to-back solo home runs from Swader and Luke Scales, pushing the advantage to 5-1.
The offense stayed aggressive in the sixth inning, capitalizing on an error and timely hitting to score two additional runs and extend the lead to 7-1. Swader added another RBI in the frame, continuing a strong day at the plate.
On the mound, Deaton Oak turned in a solid start, allowing three runs over five innings while keeping Central Arkansas in check through the early stages of the game. However, the Bears mounted a comeback in the later innings, scoring four runs in the sixth before adding three more in the seventh, highlighted by a go-ahead three-run home run.
Bellarmine totaled 11 hits in the contest, with Swader leading the way with three hits and three RBIs. Bell also recorded a three-hit performance, while Scales added a home run and an RBI.
The Knights saw strong offensive production throughout the weekend series. AJ Swader led the Knights at the plate, hitting .462 (6-for-13) with two home runs, a double, a triple, and six RBIs. Jake Bell also turned in an impressive series, recording four hits, including a home run, while consistently contributing in key moments for the Knights.
Bellarmine will next host Northern Kentucky on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET before hosting ASUN foe North Alabama March 27th-29th.
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