NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont baseball dropped its series finale to the Southern Illinois Salukis, 13-4, Sunday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park. Prior to first pitch, the Bruins celebrated Senior Day and honored nine seniors in a pregame ceremony.
With the result, Belmont was officially eliminated from Missouri Valley Conference Tournament contention, bringing an emotional ending to the Bruins' final home game of the season.
Prior to first pitch, Belmont recognized nine seniors for their contributions to the program and university. The senior class helped lead the Bruins through memorable moments during their careers while continuing to build the culture of Belmont Baseball both on and off the field.
Belmont came out energized early and gave the home crowd a quick reason to cheer in the opening inning. Senior Charlie Davis launched a solo home run to left to put the Bruins ahead 1-0, setting the tone for the afternoon and capping a special Senior Day moment.
Southern Illinois answered in the second on a solo homer from Tim Simay, but Belmont regained the lead in the third inning. Landon Godsey doubled into left field and later scored on an RBI groundout by Mike Sprockett to give the Bruins a 2-1 advantage.
Belmont starter Ridge Harvey turned in a competitive outing through the first four innings, working around traffic and limiting the Salukis to just one run while keeping the Bruins in front. Harvey stranded multiple runners early, including escaping a bases-loaded threat in the third inning with Belmont still holding the lead.
The turning point of the game came in the fifth inning when Southern Illinois erupted for nine runs. The Salukis strung together eight hits in the frame, highlighted by RBI doubles from Jacob McKenzie and Cecil Lofton, a two-run single from Kye Watson, and a two-run homer by Julio Guerrero that stretched the lead to 10-2.
Belmont continued to battle despite the deficit. JD Whitworth scored in the bottom of the fifth on a fielder's choice from Sprockett, and Godsey delivered again in the seventh with an RBI double to plate Davis and make it 13-4.
Godsey finished with a strong afternoon at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. Davis added a homer, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Sprockett drove in two runs for the Bruins.
Southern Illinois totaled 19 hits in the victory, with Lofton collecting three RBIs and Guerrero adding a two-run homer as part of the decisive fifth inning surge.
Belmont has 4 games left remaining in the 2026 campaign with a 20-32 overall record and a 9-12 mark in MVC play.
Sunday's game served as a celebration of a senior class that left a lasting impact on the Belmont Baseball program. The Bruins honored nine seniors whose leadership, dedication, and commitment helped shape the culture of the team and provided countless memories throughout their careers in Nashville.
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