LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — Eastern Kentucky defeated Bellarmine 11-3 on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Knights Field, winning its second straight in the ASUN series and improving to 16-37. The Colonels pounded out 14 hits and built an 8-0 lead after two innings, while the Knights managed seven hits and fell to 19-33.

The top star for Eastern Kentucky was pitcher Jack Briese, who turned in a strong outing after a pair of rough starts. Briese worked five innings, allowing one earned run on no hits with two strikeouts. He retired the first 10 batters he faced before surrendering a solo home run to Bellarmine first baseman AJ Swader in the fourth inning. The performance marked a rebound from Briese’s previous appearance May 10 at Austin Peay, where he allowed four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Colonels seized control in the opening frame. After two quick outs, left fielder David Alvarez singled. Center fielder Khaleel Pratt followed with a two-run homer to right field. The assault continued: shortstop Ricco Longo singled, designated hitter Jack Cauthron singled, and second baseman Silas Shaffer singled through the left side to drive in Longo. Right fielder Julius Scearce then singled through the left side, scoring Cauthron. First baseman Kobe Benson capped the inning with an RBI single to left field, bringing Shaffer home. By the time the inning ended, Eastern Kentucky led 5-0.

The Colonels added three more runs in the second inning. Alvarez doubled to left field, scoring Dylan Littlefield, who had been hit by a pitch. Pratt tripled down the right-field line, scoring Alvarez. Cauthron then flied out to center field, deep enough to score Pratt on a sacrifice fly. The lead grew to 8-0.

Bellarmine starter Nikau Heeney settled down after the early barrage, working 4 1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits with one strikeout. Heeney entered in the fourth inning and held the Colonels scoreless in the fifth before exiting. The Knights’ bullpen kept the game within reach, with Raygan New tossing 1 2/3 hitless innings and striking out three.

The Knights got on the board in the fourth when Swader homered to center field. Bellarmine trimmed the deficit further in the eighth. With the bases loaded, left fielder Eli Watson singled to center field, driving in two runs. Watson finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Swader went 1 for 4 with a home run and an RBI.

Eastern Kentucky answered in the top of the eighth. Alvarez launched a two-run homer to left field, his second extra-base hit of the game, scoring pinch-runner Pedro Moreno, who had walked and stolen second. Alvarez finished 4 for 4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. Pratt ended 2 for 3 with a home run, a triple and three RBIs. Scearce went 3 for 4 with an RBI.

The Colonels’ bullpen held firm. Cade Schneider pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings with one strikeout. Carson Van haaren worked a scoreless seventh, and Brock Blanton recorded a perfect ninth with one strikeout to close the game.

The series continues Saturday, May 16, with the same two teams meeting at Knights Field. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Eastern Kentucky 5, Bellarmine 2. Interstatl’s ELO system had projected Eastern Kentucky with a 50.90 percent probability to win.