CHARLESTON, Ill. (Interstat) — Deaton Oak and two relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout after the first inning, and the Bellarmine Knights broke open a close game late to defeat the Eastern Illinois Panthers 8-2 on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader at Coaches Stadium at Monier Field.

The victory, which defied pregame projections that heavily favored Eastern Illinois, improved Bellarmine’s season record to 3-11. Eastern Illinois fell to 6-7.

The most critical sequence of the game occurred in the top of the sixth inning, with Bellarmine clinging to a 3-2 lead. Eastern Illinois starter Anthony Solis, who had allowed three runs on eight hits, was relieved by Dominic Cristinzio after recording the first out. Cristinzio immediately allowed a single to Sawyer Pace and a double to Landon Akers, putting runners on second and third. After a walk loaded the bases, the Panthers brought in Jarrett Kinder from the bullpen. Kinder escaped the major threat by getting Cole Huett to line out to shortstop and Eli Watson to line out to third base, preserving the one-run deficit and keeping the Panthers within striking distance.

However, Bellarmine’s pitching staff rendered that escape moot. Oak, the Knights’ starter, delivered the standout performance. After surrendering two runs in the first inning, he settled in to pitch six strong innings, allowing just those two runs on seven hits with one strikeout. He faced the minimum after the fifth, aided by a double play, and exited with a 3-2 lead.

The Knights’ offense, which produced 14 hits, provided breathing room in the later innings. They added an unearned run in the seventh when Luke Scales scored on a wild pitch. In the eighth, Huett atoned for his earlier lineout with a solo home run to extend the lead to 5-2. Bellarmine put the game out of reach with two more runs in the ninth, both set up by small ball and another wild pitch that allowed pinch-runner Luca Hoerger to score.

Bellarmine’s bullpen was flawless. Presley Monteforte followed Oak with two perfect innings, striking out three. Cade Rusch pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two, to seal the victory.

Scales and Huett each drove in two runs for Bellarmine, with both hitting home runs. Akers went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. For Eastern Illinois, Dylan Drumke went 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Solis took the loss, his record now at 0-0 after giving up four earned runs over 5 1/3 innings.

The win marked a reversal from Friday’s series opener, where Eastern Illinois defeated Bellarmine 11-4. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 4-2 Panthers victory, with its ELO system giving Eastern Illinois a 71.8% probability to win.

The two teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.