LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine completed an ASUN series sweep of Eastern Kentucky with an 11-9 victory on Sunday, marking the program's first conference sweep since the Knights last swept EKU in the final meeting between the two programs a season ago.
The win also extended Bellarmine's recent success in the series, as the Knights have now won six straight games against Eastern Kentucky while securing their third consecutive ASUN series victory.
Bellarmine struck first in the second inning, as Jake Bell launched a solo home run to open the scoring. Later in the frame, Mason Acton added an RBI double to give the Knights a 2-0 lead.
Eastern Kentucky began to chip away in the middle innings, getting on the board in the third to make it 2-1 before cutting further into the deficit in the fifth. The Colonels used a pair of hit-by-pitches and a two-RBI single to trim the lead to 3-2 and briefly swing momentum in their favor.
Bellarmine quickly answered in the fifth, as AJ Swader launched a three-run home run to push the Knights back in front 5-2. Eastern Kentucky continued to battle, adding runs in the fifth and sixth innings to stay within reach.
The decisive moment came in the seventh inning when Bellarmine broke the game open. With the bases loaded, Luca Hoerger delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a grand slam to left field to give the Knights breathing room. Bellarmine continued to apply pressure after the long ball, as Landon Akers reached and moved into scoring position before coming home on a wild pitch, and AJ Swader followed with an RBI single to plate another run and extend the lead 11-5.
Those insurance runs proved crucial in a wild bottom half of the inning, as Eastern Kentucky answered with a grand slam of its own to cut the deficit to 11-9. Despite the momentum swing, Bellarmine's late scoring provided just enough cushion to hold off the Colonels' rally.
Eastern Kentucky continued to threaten late, but Bellarmine's bullpen closed the door. Karl Ralamb earned the win in relief, and Aaron Ragat secured the save to finish off the sweep.
Offensively, Luca Hoerger finished with a grand slam and four RBIs, while AJ Swader went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Jake Bell added a solo home run, and Mason Acton recorded a double and an RBI. Landon Akers reached base multiple times and scored twice as the Knights totaled 10 hits in the win.
As a team, Bellarmine showcased its offensive firepower throughout the weekend, totaling 36 hits across the three-game series while hitting seven home runs — it's most in a series this season. The Knights have now recorded double-digit hits in ten straight games.
Bellarmine continues its road swing with a midweek matchup at Morehead State on Tuesday before heading to Austin Peay State University for an ASUN series next weekend.
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