LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Despite a strong offensive performance, University of Southern Indiana Baseball fell to host Bellarmine University, 10-8, in an Ohio Valley Conference versus Atlantic Sun Conference tilt.
 
The Screaming Eagles (7-9) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over their former Great Lakes Valley Conference rivals when sophomore infielder Parker Martin drove in senior outfielder Khi Holiday in the top of the first inning.
 
Bellarmine (3-13), however, answered with a five-run third inning to take a 5-1 lead over the Eagles. The Knights took advantage of a wild pitch and had a pair of home runs in the inning to take the four-run advantage.
 
USI wasted little time answering the Knights' challenge as it put up a five spot in the top of the fourth inning to retake the lead. Junior infielder Noah Smallwood opened the scoring with an RBI-double down the leftfield line, while sophomore infielder Anthony Umbach had a sacrifice fly to cut Bellarmine's lead to 5-3.
 
Junior catcher Micajah Wall pushed across the next run with a single, while Holiday tied the game with an infield single. The Eagles reclaimed the lead with an RBI-single by junior infielder Cole Kitchens.
 
Bellarmine, once again, put up crooked numbers in the last half of the fifth inning to take a 9-6 advantage. A two-run single capped off a four-run frame for the Knights, who scored their first two runs on wild pitches.
 
USI looked as if it might answer the Knights once more in the top of the sixth as it had the bases loaded with no outs. However, a double-play groundout that scored a run put a damper on the Eagles' charge. Martin had an RBI-single to cut the Eagles' deficit to 9-8, but that was all USI would get out of the inning.
 
Bellarmine tacked on an insurance run in the home half of the sixth inning and the Eagles threatened with a two-out rally in the top of the ninth, but the Knight's pitching induced a ground-out to end the threat and preserve the victory.
 
Freshman pitcher Marshall Loch (0-2) was charged with the loss for USI after giving up four runs off two hits and three walks in an inning of work.
 
Junior outfielder Patrick McLellan led the Eagles at the plate, going 3-of-4 with a double and three runs scored.
 
USI returns to action Friday at 6 p.m. when it opens a three-game home series with Murray State University at the USI Baseball Field. Stay tuned to USIScreamingEagles.com and USI's social media platforms (@USIAthletics) for any weather-related changes.
 
Schedule Note: USI has rescheduled its February 22 home game with the University of Evansville for May 13 (6 p.m.), while its March 5 road game at Saint Louis University has been rescheduled for April 22 (5 p.m.)