LOUISVILLE, Ky — Bellarmine closed out its ASUN series at Austin Peay on Sunday afternoon, falling 10-5 in the weekend finale at Raymond C. Hand Park. 

Bellarmine (16-23, 9-9 ASUN) faced Austin Peay (20-20, 10-8 ASUN) in the series finale, as the Governors completed the weekend sweep. 

Bellarmine struck first, but Austin Peay responded with a decisive second inning to take command for the rest of the afternoon.

The Knights jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning, as Landon Akers led off with a double and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from AJ Swader to make it 1-0. 

Austin Peay answered immediately and broke the game open in the second inning, erupting for seven runs on six hits to build an 8-1 advantage. The Governors added another run in the third to extend the lead to 9-1, putting Bellarmine in an early deficit it would not fully overcome. 

Bellarmine showed resilience in the fifth inning, putting together its best offensive frame of the day. The Knights plated four runs, highlighted by RBI efforts from Luca Hoerger, Eli Watson and Connor Pawlowski, while also capitalizing on a throwing error to cut the deficit to 9-5. 

Austin Peay added an insurance run in the sixth to push the margin back to five, and the Bellarmine offense was unable to generate further momentum over the final innings. 

Akers led the Knights offensively with two hits and two runs scored, while Swader added a double and an RBI as Bellarmine totaled eight hits in the contest. 

On the mound, Aaron Ragat provided stability out of the bullpen, tossing 4.1 innings and allowing just two runs, while Karl Ralamb and Cade Rusch combined for two scoreless frames late. 

Up Next: Bellarmine will close out its eight-game road stretch with a midweek matchup at Dayton before returning home to host Central Arkansas.

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