LOUISVILLE Ky. — Bellarmine baseball broke through in the second inning and never looked back, erupting for 15 runs in a 15-8 win over North Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium. With the victory, the Knights improved to 18-27 (10-13 ASUN), marking the program's most wins in a single season during the Division I era.
After opening the scoring in the second, Bellarmine delivered its biggest punch in the third inning, plating seven runs before adding five more in the fourth to take firm control of the game. The Knights continued to apply pressure in the middle innings, finishing with 11 hits and going 6-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Eli Watson paced the offense with a 3-for-5 performance and five RBI, while Jake Bell added three hits, including two triples, scoring three times and driving in a pair. Cole Huett highlighted the third-inning outburst with a three-run home run, while Sawyer Pace also homered and finished with two RBI.
Bellarmine's power surge fueled the early separation, as the Knights launched three home runs across the third and fourth innings to build a commanding lead.
On the mound, Deaton Oak earned the win after tossing 4.2 innings, while Nikau Heeney provided key relief to steady the game following a North Alabama push. Evan Hart and Karl Ralamb combined to close out the final frames and secure the victory.
North Alabama cut into the deficit with a five-run fifth inning, but the Knights responded with insurance runs and maintained control the rest of the way to even the series.
Bellarmine will look to secure the series in the finale against North Alabama on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
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