Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky completed a three-game series sweep of Belmont with a pair of wins on Saturday at Earle Combs Stadium.
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The Colonels (20-29, 13-17 OVC) won the first game by a score of 6-4 and then edged the Bruins (20-28, 12-15 OVC) in the second game, 3-2.
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Each time EKU grabbed the lead in game one, Belmont answered to tie the score. The Colonels led 1-0, 3-1 and 4-3, but the Bruins answered in the very next inning each time to tie it 1-1, 3-3 and 4-4.
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Belmont didn't have the answer for Eastern's two-run eighth inning.Â
Caleb Upshaw started it with an infield single.Â
Charlie Ludwick followed with a single through the right side to put runners at the corners.Â
Max Williams made it three straight hits with a pinch hit single to left to score Upshaw. After a sacrifice bunt by
Logan Thomason moved two runners into scoring position, freshman
Will King hit a sacrifice fly to make it 6-4 in favor of the home team.
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The tying run reached base in the top of the ninth with two outs, but
Will Brian got a ground ball to first to end the game and get his ninth save of the season. Jacob Abbot (3-3) earned the win after pitching three and one third innings of relief. He allowed just one run on two hits and struck out one.
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Thomason's two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth gave EKU a 3-1 advantage. He finished 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs.Â
Kendal Ewell's solo shot to start the bottom of the fifth put Eastern ahead 5-4. He had a 2-for-4 game with a run and an RBI. Ludwick was 2-for-3 with two runs.
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Belmont scored once in the first and once in the second inning of game two to pull in front 2-0 early. Eastern Kentucky got on the board in the bottom of the third. With one out and runners at first and second, Upshaw doubled to right center to score one. A ground ball off the bat of Ludwick was enough to plate another and tie the game 2-2.
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The score remained 2-2 until the eighth. In the top half of the inning, Belmont loaded the bases with no outs.Â
Louis Davenport III came on and got a strike out. Then
Cam Ridley made a catch on a shallow fly ball to center and fired a strike to home plate to get the runner, who tried to tag and score, to end the inning.
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Daniel Harris IV led off with a triple down the left field line. Ludwick brought home the run again, this time with a sacrifice fly to center field.
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The Bruins got the tying run on base in the ninth, again, but Brian closed the door for the second time with a strike out and a ground ball to end the contest and earn his 10th save.
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Ludwick finished with two RBIs. Harris was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Guy Lipscomb had a 3-for-4 effort with a run scored for Belmont.
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The Colonels will play at Western Kentucky on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
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