LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine baseball dropped a 9-8 decision to Southern Indiana on Monday afternoon in a back-and-forth contest at the USI Baseball Field.

The Knights jumped out early, plating five runs over the first two innings. AJ Swader delivered a two-RBI single in the first, and Nick Gnardellis highlighted the second inning with a three-run home run to give Bellarmine a 5-2 advantage.

Bellarmine continued to apply pressure in the third, as Eli Watson ripped a two-run double to extend the lead to 7-2.

Southern Indiana answered across the middle innings, eventually taking an 8-7 lead in the sixth. The Knights responded in the seventh when Swader launched a solo home run — Bellarmine's second of the game — to even the score at 8-8.

The Screaming Eagles pushed across the go-ahead run in the eighth, but Bellarmine threatened in the ninth. The Knights put runners on first and second with no outs but were unable to capitalize.

Bellarmine finished with 13 hits, led by Watson's 3-for-3 performance with two RBIs. Swader drove in three runs, while Gnardellis added a three-run homer.

On the mound, Raygan New turned in 4.1 innings in the start, allowing six runs (four earned), while Drew Jennings followed with 3.2 innings in relief. The Knights' pitching staff worked out of multiple jams early but couldn't hold off Southern Indiana late.

Bellarmine returns home to host Murray State on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET at Knights Field.

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