The Belmont Abbey softball team split its doubleheader with
visiting Tusculum this afternoon at Crusader Field, falling in the
opener 10-0 in six innings before rallying to win the second game
5-4. The Abbey is now 2-6 on the season.
Game one was scoreless until the third inning when the Pioneers
plated two on a double by Ashley Basilicato, and added one more in
the fifth on a Taylor Macdonald double. The Pioneers then exploded
for seven runs in the sixth as they sent 12 batters to the plate in
the frame. The Abbey went down in order in the sixth as the game
ended there.
Ashley Whitehead earned the win, allowing just one hit in six
scoreless innings, striking out three. Jessica Bennett took the
loss as she allowed three runs on five hits in four and one-thirds
innings, striking out four.
The second game was a closer affair as the Crusaders rallied
from a 4-2 deficit by scoring two in the fifth and one more in the
sixth to earn a 5-4 win.
The Pioneers scored on in the top of the first but the Abbey
answered with two of its own in the bottom half. Jessica Inman was
hit by a pitch, moved to second on an bunt single by Abby Threatt,
and Dani Beres brought both of them home with a double to give the
Crusaers a 2-1 lead.
Tusculum answered with three in the third to take a 4-2
advantage, and that was all of the scoring until the bottom of the
fifth when the Abbey tied the game at four, scoring both runs with
two outs. Alysia Stewart reached on a fielder's choice, and after a
strikeout, Candace Cady and Desiree Carron consecutive doubles,
with Cady's scoring Stewart and Carron bringing home Cady to tie
the game at four.
Belmont Abbey scored the go-ahead run in the sixth as Beres
singled home Inman, who reached on a one-out single. Carrie Markham
retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to preserve the
win.
Markham struck out six and walked none, allowing four runs on
seven hits in a complete game effort. Whitehead took the loss after
giving up the winning run. She allowed one run on three hits in one
inning of work.
The Crusaders are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they go
on the road to face Coker in their Conference Carolinas opener.
Game One Box
Game Two Box
