The Belmont Abbey baseball team erased a 5-2 deficit by scoring five times in the fifth, taking the lead for good on a three-run home run by catcher Jay McConnell, as the Crusaders earned an 8-5 win over visiting Wingate today at Abbey Yard. The Abbey improves to 4-1, while the Bulldogs fall to 2-2.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bulldogs scored three times in the top of the second and three more in the third, as Mark Letchworth opened the frame with a solo home run. Nick Siega-Riz followed with a double down the right field line, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Kevin Childs.

The Abbey answered with a pair of runs in its half of the third to cut the lead to 5-2. After the first two batters were retired, Patrick Atwell drew a walk, moved to second on a single to center by Tyler McKenzie, and both men scored on Will Breslin's double to center field.

After a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, the Crusaders stormed ahead for five runs in the fifth to take a lead they would never relinquish. Derek Swilley led off with an infield single and moved to second on a walk by Atwell. McKenzie moved both men up one base on a sacrifice bunt, and Breslin plated both men with a single to right. After a long flyout by Alex Castellanos, Seth Waller laced a seeing-eye single to left, moving Breslin to second. McConnell followed with a towering homer to right center, his second of the year, giving the Abbey a 7-5 lead. The Crusaders added an insurance run in the eighth to seal the win.

Evan Jonas earned the win as he held Wingate scoreless in three innings, scattering just two hits while striking out a pair. Tyler Chewning was charged with the loss after allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Andrew Morton earned the save, his first, afer retiring all four batters he faced in an inning and a third, striking out two.

The Abbey is back in action Saturday when it travels to Miami to face Barry in a doubleheader.