The Saluki baseball team was seeing double Tuesday as it beat Belmont 8-4.

SIU (8-4) hit five doubles, the most in a game since a 9-7 win against Illinois State on April 19 of last year.

Senior pitcher Bryce Sablotny (1-1, 8.40 ERA) won his first game of the season after hurling 5 1/3 innings with four earned runs on eight hits and two strikeouts. Sophomore Alex Ward (0-1, 21.60 ERA) took the loss for the Bruins (6-6).

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SIU scored two runs in the seventh on RBI doubles from sophomore infielder Connor Kopach and junior outfielder Jake Hand, which proved to be the difference.

Saluki bats have been on a roll in their last 25 innings with 41 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs and 19 runs. Sophomore first baseman Logan Blackfan and junior designated hitter Hunter Anderson are tied for the team lead with five doubles.

Belmont had a chance to get back into the game against SIU’s bullpen, as they had five runners reach base over the last 3 2/3 innings. But a combination of relievers kept the Bruins off the board.

Junior Anthony Shimkus worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning to hold the lead before junior Jacob Williams and sophomore Ryan Netemeyer closed the door, preserving the victory.

SIU returns home for a three-game series against St. John’s starting at 3 p.m. Friday at Itchy Jones Stadium.

Ted Ward can be reached at [email protected] or 618-534-3303