MARION, IL. — Bellarmine dropped the first of three games in the series to Eastern Illinois on Friday night at Mountain Dew Park despite early home runs from AJ Swader and Luke Scales.  

The Knights got off to a hot start with a pair of home runs in the first three innings but ultimately fell to Eastern Illinois in the series opener at Mountain Dew Park. 

Bellarmine jumped out to a 3–0 lead through the top of the second inning, thanks to a solo home run from AJ Swader in the first. The homer marked Swader's first of the season and his first as a Knight. Bellarmine added two more runs in the second after Mason Acton led off with a single and later scored on a throwing error by the Panthers.  

Luke Scales homered in the third to extend Bellarmine's lead to 3–1 and now leads the team with four home runs. Cole Huett went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Knights. 

Eastern Illinois responded with a five-run third inning, highlighted by a grand slam, and added a three-run home run in the fourth. Panthers starting pitcher Tyler Conklin pitched 6.2 innings and recorded the win.  

The series will conclude with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT).  

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