The Belmont Abbey baseball team is ranked 20th nationally in this week's national poll conducted by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, a tabloid based in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition, the Crusaders have moved up one spot to fifth in the Southeast Region in the rankings conducted by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The poll caps off its rankings at 30 teams, and the Abbey made its debut in the March 20 edition after receiving votes in the previous week's rankings. Belmont Abbey enters Tuesday's non-conference matchup at Pfeiffer with a record of 23-7 overall and 8-2 in Conference Carolinas.

The Crusaders offense is hitting .316 as a team and has clubbed 29 home runs in 30 games as they have outscored their opponents 244-157.

On the mound, the team ERA is 4.63 and is led by junior Steven Thiele, who is 5-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a pair of complete games. Senior closer Jordan Cudney leads Conference Carolinas with seven saves.