Belmont Abbey senior leftfielder Tyler McKenzie drove in three runs as the Crusaders scored seven unanswered runs to earn their first win of 2009 with a 7-5 win over Lenoir-Rhyne this afternoon. The Abbey improves to 1-2, while the Bears fall to 2-2.

Nate Cudney, the second of five Abbey pitchers, earned the win after scattering three hits over four scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one. Jordan Cudney earned the save after recording the final three outs of a climactic ninth inning. Sean Madden was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs on eight hits in three innings, striking out one and walking a pair.

After the Bears scored a run without a hit in the top of the first, the Abbey matched it in its half on a double by McKenzie that scored Roland Rodriguez, who earlier reached on a single.

The Crusaders scored three times in the third and three more in the fourth to open a 7-1 lead, using an RBI groundout by Josh Frazier, an RBI double by McKenzie and a run coming on a strikeout/wild pitch in the third. In the fourth, shortstop Carlos Vasquez and first baseman Daniel Kassouf led off the frame with back-to-back home runs, and McKenzie followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 7-1.

L-R would plate two in the sixth, using a two-RBI double by Hank Wofford, and would add two more in the ninth, when the Bears would load the bases with two outs, but Cudney ended the threat with a groundout.

The Abbey finished with 12 hits as five different Crusaders all led the way with two hits apiece. The Bears finished with eight hits as Wofford and Brian Dice both finished with two hits.