Baseball Splits Doubleheader Against East Tennessee State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont baseball dropped game one and bounced back in game two of Saturday's doubleheader to East Tennessee, 8-4 and 10-8, at E.S. Rose Park.

The Bruins are now 13-23 on the season as East Tennessee used early offense and a late surge to secure the win.

Game 1

East Tennessee struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on an error to take a 1-0 lead. The visitors added to their advantage in the third inning, stringing together timely hits to score two more runs and extend the lead to 3-0. Belmont had opportunities early, including a pair of hits in the second inning, but was unable to break through against East Tennessee starter Michael Harpster, who kept the Bruins off the scoreboard through the first five innings.

The game's turning point came in the top of the sixth inning, when East Tennessee broke it open with a three-run frame. Back-to-back extra-base hits ignited the rally, and a combination of a wild pitch and an error allowed the inning to extend, pushing the lead to 6-0. The surge created separation that proved too much for Belmont to overcome. East Tennessee added two more runs in the seventh inning to stretch the lead to 8-0, putting the Bruins in a deep hole late.

Belmont showed resilience in the bottom of the seventh inning, mounting a four-run rally to avoid the shutout. After loading the bases, Brady Holbrook delivered the biggest swing of the game for the Bruins, ripping a bases-clearing triple to right field to bring Belmont within 8-3. Holbrook finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Moments later, Cavan McMeans lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Holbrook and cut the deficit to 8-4. Despite the late push, Belmont was unable to continue the rally, as East Tennessee closed out the game to secure the win.

Belmont finished with seven hits on the afternoon, with contributions throughout the lineup. Nicholas Stinson, Michael Lareau, and Brody Langlotz each recorded hits, while Landon Godsey added a hit and a walk.

The Bruins, however, were limited by 12 strikeouts and were unable to capitalize on key scoring opportunities earlier in the game.

Ridge Harvey took the loss for Belmont, tossing six innings while allowing six runs (four earned). Reliever Aubrey Moraitakis worked the final inning as the Bruins looked to slow East Tennessee's late
momentum.

Game 2

Belmont wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a three-run lead in the bottom of the first inning. Charlie Davis sparked the rally with a leadoff hit and later scored, while Cavan McMeans and Nicholas Stinson each delivered RBI singles to give the Bruins an early 3-0 advantage.

East Tennessee responded in the second inning with a three-run home run to even the score, but Belmont answered immediately in the bottom half. Davis delivered an RBI double before Landon Godsey launched a two-run home run, putting the Bruins back in front, 6-3. Belmont continued to apply pressure in the third inning, as Jake Maddox drove in a run with an RBI single to extend the lead to 7-3.

After East Tennessee trimmed the deficit to 7-4 in the sixth inning, Belmont delivered a critical response in the bottom half that proved to be the turning point of the game. With traffic on the bases, Jake Maddox came through with a two-run double to push the lead to 9-4. The timely hit halted East Tennessee's momentum and reestablished control for the Bruins at a crucial moment in the game. East Tennessee continued to battle, scoring single runs in the seventh and a three-run eighth inning to close within 10-8 and apply late pressure.

However, Belmont answered again in the seventh when JD Whitworth launched a solo home run, providing an important insurance run that ultimately proved decisive.

Out of the bullpen, Belmont pieced together key innings to preserve the lead. After multiple pitching changes, Jonathon Van Ness shut the door in the ninth inning, recording the final outs to secure the win.

Up Next

Belmont will continue its stand with the second meeting against Middle Tennessee and hope to sweep in the season series. FIrst pitch is set for 4:00 PM from E.S. Rose Park on Tuesday April 14th. 

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