Andy Helms allowed one run on seven hits in eight innings, and leftfielder Tyler McKenzie finished 2-4 with three RBI as the Crusaders earned an 8-1 win over Limestone in the first round of the 2008 Conference Carolinas Tournament at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina. The Crusaders improve to 33-17, while Limestone falls to 23-30.

McKenzie gave the Abbey a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI groundout that scored Patrick Atwell, who led off the inning with a walk. The lead grew to 2-0 one inning later on designated hitter Justin Vasquez's one out solo home run to right, his first of the year.

After Helms retired the side in order in the top of the third, the Abbey exploded for six runs in the bottom of the inning to open up a 8-0 lead. The Crusaders used a two-RBI single by McKenzie, an RBI single by Carlos Vasquez, as well as a two-run homer to left by Seth Waller, his ninth of the year, and an RBI double by Elio Rey.

Limestone scored its run on a solo homer to lead off the fourth, but Helms allowed just three hits until giving way for Trey Summerlin in the ninth, who retired the side in order.

Helms improved to 7-2 as he struck out five and walked just one in 30 batters faced. Michael McAbee fell to 2-2 in the loss after he gave up five runs on four hits in two and one-thirds innings.

The Abbey finished with nine hits as McKenzie led the way with two, while seven others had one each.

The Crusaders stay in the winners bracket as they will take on the second-seeded Erskine Flying Fleet tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.