The Belmont Abbey softball team was swept in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader by the visiting Barton College Bulldogs this afternoon at Crusader Field in the 2009 home finale. Barton claimed game one by a 6-1 score and took game two by an 8-2 count. Barton improves to 9-15 overall and 4-4 in Conference Carolinas, while the Abbey dips to 7-23 overall and 8-23 in Conference Carolinas.

In the opener, Barton scored the game's first four runs, plating two in the first on a Claire Severt two run homer, and added two more in the third to build a 4-0 lead. Belmont Abbey got one back in the bottom of the third as Dani Beres singled home Gina Antonucci, who had earlier reached on a fielder's choice.

That was all of the scoring until the top of the seventh when Barton pushed two runs across, using a double by Kelsey Barnes that scored Stacy Wade. Natalie Phipps followed with a single that scored Barnes for the final run of the game.

Severt earned the win after fanning four in a complete game effort, allowing one run on six hits. Carrie Markham took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits in five innings, striking out three.

Catcher Alysia Stewart had two of the Abbey's six hits, while Barnes, Severt, Phipps and Amber Fletcher all recorded two hits for Barton, which recorded ten.

In game two, Barton struck first with a run in the top of the first, but the Abbey would grab the lead in its half of the inning as Antonucci blasted a two run homer to left center, bringing home Markham, who led of the frame with a single to left.

Belmont Abbey held onto its one run lead until the fifth inning when Barton exploded for five runs, and it would add two more in the sixth to provide the winning margin.

The Abbey finished with six hits as Beres led the way with a pair. Barton recorded ten as Barnes went two for four with four runs batted in.