NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont dropped the second game of its weekend series against Southern Illinois Salukis Saturday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park, falling 9-4 despite a late rally in the ninth inning.
The Bruins battled until the final out, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth after trailing by as many as eight, but Southern Illinois used a pair of early offensive bursts and a dominant outing from starter Troy Shepard to secure the victory.
Belmont struck first in the opening inning when Charlie Davis launched a leadoff solo home run to right field, giving the Bruins an early 1-0 advantage. The long ball marked Davis' seventh homer of the season and briefly energized the home crowd.
Southern Illinois quickly answered in the second inning and seized control of the game. After consecutive singles put traffic on the bases, Jaden Flores delivered the game's turning point with a three-run home run to left field, swinging momentum firmly in favor of the Salukis and putting Belmont behind 3-1.
The Salukis continued to apply pressure in the third inning. Back-to-back singles set the stage for Gabe Petrucelli, who ripped a two-run double down the right field line to extend the lead to 5-1. Southern Illinois added another run in the fourth on an RBI double from Kye Watson, pushing the advantage to 6-1.
Belmont threatened several times throughout the middle innings but could not capitalize against Shepard, who scattered six hits over eight strong innings while striking out seven. The Bruins stranded runners in scoring position in both the third and fifth innings after doubles from Brody Langlotz and Michael Lareau.
Owen Marsh provided valuable relief work after entering in the fourth inning, helping Belmont settle the game defensively by striking out four over 4.2 innings.
Southern Illinois added insurance in the eighth inning, plating three runs to stretch the lead to 9-1. Julio Guerrero delivered a sacrifice fly before Jacob McKenzie added an RBI single. A balk later in the inning brought home another run.
Belmont mounted one final push in the ninth inning. Mike Sprockett opened the frame with a walk before Jake Maddox singled to center. Gardner Lawrence then delivered a pinch-hit RBI single for his first run batted in of the afternoon, and Michael Lareau followed with an RBI single of his own. Nicholas Stinson added a sacrifice fly to trim the deficit to 9-4, but the Bruins were unable to complete the comeback.
Lareau led Belmont offensively with two hits and an RBI, while Davis finished with a home run and a walk. Maddox, Holbrook, Langlotz, Sprockett, Godsey, and Lawrence each contributed hits as Belmont totaled nine hits on the afternoon.
Southern Illinois recorded 14 hits, led by McKenzie and Tim Simay with three hits apiece. Flores finished with three RBIs on his pivotal second-inning homer.
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