Box Score  |  Tickets

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky defeated Bellarmine, 5-3, to claim a victory in the team's first-ever ASUN Conference home game on Friday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
The Colonels (15-8, 3-1 ASUN) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Kendal Ewell doubled to left field to score fellow outfielder Max Williams.  Two innings later, it was Williams who doubled down the line in left to plate Ron Franklin Jr. in the bottom of the third.  EKU tacked on two more runs in the inning courtesy of an RBI fielder's choice from Logan Thomason and a single from Charlie Ludwick as the Colonels increased their lead to 4-0.
 
Starter Michael Schuler (3-1) delivered his best performance of the season. The right-hander recorded a season high eight strikeouts and held Bellarmine (3-18, 1-3 ASUN) to three runs across eight and two-thirds innings.  Schuler retired 10 straight hitters between the fourth and seventh innings.
 
Bellarmine trailed 5-1 with one out in the ninth before Davis Crane and Jacob Mulcahy reached base on back-to-back singles.  Two batters later, Robert Sproul doubled down the left field line to draw the score to 5-3. 
 
Schuler received a standing ovation as he was relieved by Will Brian with two down in the ninth and Sproul at second.  Brian promptly forced a flyout to left field to end the game.
 
Ewell notched a season-high four hits.  The left fielder finished 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.  Williams went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and scored two runs.  Franklin was 2-for-4 and scored two runs.
 
Southpaw Will Brian tallied his ninth save of the season, which now ties him for first in the nation.
 
Sproul went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs for the Knights.  Mulcahy and Crane also turned in 2-for-4 performances.  Centerfielder Jack Ockerman went 2-for-3.
 
Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.  The series finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.  Foul Ball Trade In returns on Saturday.  Fans can trade in foul balls for a chance to spin the EKU Prize Wheel.  Sunday includes Kids Day, a postgame autograph session and the first of three trading card giveaways.  Kids 12 and under will receive FREE admission and get the chance to run the bases after the game.
 
For all games this season, each time the Colonels score in the first or second inning fans receive $1 off at the concession stand. 
 
Tickets can be purchased at EKUSports.com/2022BaseballTix or call 844-3-GOBIGE.