Baseball Takes Game One Against Valparaiso on Friday Afternoon

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Belmont opened its weekend series with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over Valparaiso on Friday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field, using timely hitting and late-inning execution to outlast the Beacons in a back-and-forth contest.

The Bruins improved to 15-27 overall (6-7 MVC) with the win, overcoming multiple momentum swings behind clutch performances at the plate and a key outing from Tate Marland out of the bullpen.

Belmont wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning, as Charlie Davis set the tone early and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Cavan McMeans. However, Valparaiso responded in the third inning, taking a 2-1 lead following a solo home run and a sacrifice fly.

One of the most notable moments of the game came early, as Shane Duke made his return to the mound for the first time since February 21st. Duke showed flashes of effectiveness despite the layoff, striking out four batters across two innings of work while navigating traffic on the bases. His return provided an early lift for the Bruins' pitching staff and added depth moving forward in the series.

Belmont evened the score in the fifth inning when Nate Webb sparked the offense with a triple before Michael Lareau executed a sacrifice bunt to bring him home, tying the game at 2-2. Valparaiso answered again in the bottom half, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to regain a 3-2 advantage.

The game's defining moment came in the top of the seventh inning. Trailing 3-2 with two outs and a runner on, Belmont flipped the momentum instantly when Charlie Davis launched a three-run home run to right field. The swing not only erased the deficit but gave the Bruins a 5-3 lead and injected energy into the dugout at a critical point in the game. Valparaiso refused to go away, responding with a three-run seventh of its own to reclaim a 6-5 lead. But Belmont answered once again in the eighth inning, as Jake Maddox delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run to right field, putting the Bruins back in front 7-6.

The Bruins added an insurance run in the ninth inning on a solo home run from Michael Lareau, which ultimately proved crucial. Valparaiso managed to get one run back in the bottom half, but Belmont held on to secure the one-run victory.

Offensively, Davis led the way with a 2-for-5 performance and three RBIs, highlighted by his pivotal seventh-inning homer. Maddox added two hits and two RBIs, while Lareau contributed a home run and two RBIs of his own. Belmont tallied nine hits and showcased its ability to deliver in high-leverage situations.

On the mound, Marland earned the win, improving to 4-4 on the season after tossing 2.1 innings in relief. Sam Heyman bridged the middle innings effectively, keeping Belmont within striking distance before the late offensive surge.


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