RICHMOND, Ky. -  The Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University came up short in their ASUN Conference series opener against in-state foe Bellarmine on Friday night, 10-5.
 
The Knights jumped out to a five-run lead with two runs in the first inning and three in the second.
 
The Colonels punched back in the third with three runs courtesy of an RBI double by David Alvarez and a two-RBI triple to right field by Khaleel Pratt.
 
Back-to-back solo home runs saw BU extend their lead to 7-3 in the fourth before tacking on two more runs in the seventh and one more in the eighth to go up 10-3.
 
Ricco Longo and Boone Shevey brought in two runs for EKU in the eighth, and the Colonels worked the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth but were unable to scratch across any runs.
 
Alavarez and Longo led the Colonels in hits with two hits apiece on the night both scoring one run with one RBI.
 
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.