Posted: 9:04 PM Mar 20, 2012
Reporter: Melissa Anderson, WKU Athletic Media Relations

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Belmont University handed the Western Kentucky University baseball team a 6-5 loss Tuesday night despite seniors Ivan Hartle and Jared Andreoli going a combined 6-for-9 at the plate with two RBIs at Nick Denes Field.

WKU (8-12) rallied to close the Bruins' lead to one in the sixth after Belmont (14-8) took an early 6-2 lead with a combined four runs in the fourth and fifth innings. WKU outhit Belmont 11-9 in the loss.

The Hilltoppers stranded 12 runners on base, including eight in scoring position. In both the sixth and seventh innings, WKU advanced a runner to third with less than two outs and failed to bring home the game-tying run.

"The left on base has been an Achilles heel for us all year but I thought there were better approaches (at the plate)," WKU coach Matt Myers said. "We did some more hitting and running tonight, put some more pressure on them and we were a big hit away from a couple big innings, but I love the way the guys responded after being down 6-2."

Hartle finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored while Andreoli went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Right fielder Ryan Hutchison also had a pair of RBIs and third baseman Casey Dykes added two hits.

Freshman right-hander Brennan Pearson (0-1) allowed four runs on four hits with three walks and a strikeout in two innings.

Bruins starter Josh Davis (4-1) gave up two runs on five hits with a strikeout in three innings. Senior reliever Garrett Fanchier picked up his seventh save of the season after retiring the Hilltoppers in order in the bottom of the ninth.

Belmont took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on RBI singles by center fielder Dylan Craig and first baseman Matt Beaty.

WKU got a run back in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout by Hutchison. The Hilltoppers knotted the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Hutchison.

The Bruins edged in front 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Zac Mitchell.

Belmont added three runs in the top of the fifth inning to make the score 6-2. After an RBI single by right fielder Drew Turner, designated hitter Judah Akers came home on a balk by Pearson. Left fielder William Dodd capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right.

In the bottom of the fifth, WKU cut the Belmont lead to 6-3 on an RBI single by left fielder Adam Lavelle.

The Hilltoppers pulled within one run in the bottom of the sixth behind a two-run double by Andreoli. Dykes and shortstop Steve Hodgins scored on the play to make the score 6-5.

WKU starting pitcher Austin Clay allowed two runs - none earned - on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts in three innings. Redshirt freshman Tate Glasscock threw a pair of scoreless innings with a strikeout. Right hander Ross Hammonds retired six of the seven batters he faced, including striking out the side in the eighth.

The Hilltoppers return to action Wednesday night when they travel to Clarksville, Tenn., to take on Austin Peay at 6 p.m. Sophomore right-hander GJ Strauss (0-1, 6.00 ERA) will start the game for WKU while the Governors have yet to announce a starter.

"They are grinding right now and they are not getting a lot of results," Myers said. "The margin for error right now is real small, especially on the mound. I think if we have this approach tomorrow night, hopefully we don't leave 12 guys on, but if we have that many opportunities, I'd like to think we are going to score more runs."

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