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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore southpaw Cole Isom tossed six strong innings, allowing just one run on one hit, but the hosting Belmont Bruins shutout the University of Evansville baseball team, 2-0, Friday afternoon in the Aces season-opener.

“Cole Isom pitched a heck of a game for us and gave us a chance to win,” said head coach Wes Carroll. “At the end of the day, we didn’t capitalize on a couple scoring opportunities and came away with the loss. Tomorrow we are going to bounce back against Lipscomb with Sam Johns on the mound.”

Isom held the Bruins off the scoreboard through the first five innings, allowing just two base runners – a walk in the first and hit batter in the third – with three perfect frames. However, in the sixth, Belmont broke the stalemate. Zac Mitchell led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Greg Brody singled through the right side, bringing in what would be the winning run. After another walk, his third of the afternoon, Isom ended the inning and his first outing of the year with his fourth strikeout of the game.

Out of the bullpen, junior Jake Naumann hurled a perfect seventh inning, but Belmont logged an insurance run, as Mitchell led off with a triple and scored on Dylan Craig’s sacrifice fly to right field. Naumann tossed 2.0 innings, allowing one run, two hits, while striking out one.

The Aces had their best scoring chance in the first inning when junior Eric Stamets led off with a single to right-centerfield and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, he was left stranded after a strikeout and groundout to first base.

In the third, Stamets made it to third again, walking to reach with two outs and advanced following an error. However, the Bruins defense ended the rally.

Stamets led the Aces’ offense, going 1-1 with three walks. Chris Pearson was UE’s only player to have multiple hits, going 2-4.

Scott Moses recorded the win, throwing the last four innings, allowing one hit, a walk, and struck out eight. Starter Chase Brookshire tossed five innings, giving up two hits, two walks and struck out five.

Evansville will return to the field tomorrow, taking on Lipscomb at noon.