Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Conner Davis scored on a single from Silas Shaffer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to send Eastern Kentucky University to an 8-7 win over Bellarmine in the series opener on Friday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
Game two of the series has been moved to 1 p.m. on Saturday.  The game will air live on ESPN+.  Saturday will be Star Wars Day with a light saber giveaway.
 
After a fly out to start the ninth, Davis drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch.  He then stole second after the Knights got a pop foul down the first base line for the second out.  On a 2-2 count, Shaffer sent a ground ball up the middle that looked as if it would make it through the infield.  Luke Scales made a diving stop to keep the ball from getting through.  However, he kicked the ball away toward the second base bag and Davis scored easily.
 
Bellarmine took a 7-6 lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run from Will Aubel and an RBI single off the bat of Scales.
 
Isaac Milburn came on to pitch at the beginning of the fifth inning and shut the Knights down over the next three.  He allowed just two hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out two.
 
The Colonels (15-31, 9-13 ASUN) tied the game in the sixth.  With two outs and Justin Carinci on second base, Davis singled to center to make it a 7-7 game.
 
Joe Clancy (3-3) pitched the final two innings and earned the win.  He allowed two hits, did not walk anyone and struck out two.
 
Tait Nunnally's 2-run double and Shaffer's RBI triple fueled a 4-run first inning for EKU that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead.  The Knights took a 5-4 lead on Charlie Rife's grand slam in the second inning.  Ron Franklin Jr. extended his hitting streak to 13 straight games with an RBI single in the bottom half of the second to tie it.  Davis followed with a run scoring single to push the home team back in front, 6-5.
 
Davis finished 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs and two RBIs.  Shaffer had a 4-for-5 night with a run and an RBI.  Carinci was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.
 
Scales went 2-for-5 with an RBI for Bellarmine (7-38, 6-16 ASUN).