Box Score (pdf)

RICHMOND, Ky. – A 6-run eighth inning sent Bellarmine to an 11-9 victory over Eastern Kentucky University in the Atlantic Sun Conference series finale on Sunday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
The Knights (16-19, 9-6 ASUN) grabbed an early lead with two runs in the second.  Jake Bell started the inning with a home run over the wall in left field.  Mason Acton drove in a run with a double down the right field line.
 
EKU got one back in the bottom of the third.  Kobe Benson led off with his first home run as a Colonel.  He sent the first pitch he saw 396 feet over the wall in right center.
 
Bellarmine built a 4-run lead in the fifth.  With one out and two on, AJ Swader deposited a 1-0 pitch 424 feet over the wall in straight-away center field, putting the visitors out in front 5-1.
 
The Colonels (9-27, 4-11 ASUN) answered in the bottom half of the fifth.  With two outs and the bases loaded, Jackson Cauthron brought home two with a single through the middle to close the gap to 5-3.
 
Two more in the sixth allowed EKU to complete the comeback.  Tyler Phillips hit his first home run of the season, a solo knock over the wall in right field.  A 2-out single up the middle off the bat of David Alvarez brought home Benson and tied the game 5-5.
 
The Knights loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth.  Luca Hoerger then sent a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left for a grand slam.  Bellarmine tacked on two more in the inning to move in front 11-5.
 
EKU returned the favor in the bottom of the eighth.  With the bases loaded and two outs, Khaleel Pratt sent the ball sailing over the wall in left center to close the gap to 11-9.
 
Pratt went 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs.  Cauthron had two hits in five at bats and drove in two runs.  Phillips was 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.
 
Swader finished 2-for-5 with a run and four RBIs.
 
EKU will host Kentucky State on Tuesday at 6 p.m.