The Belmont Abbey softball team used a walk off single by senior Alysia Stewart in the bottom of the seventh to claim a 5-4 win in game one, but Barton rallied to gain a split in the doubleheader with a 5-2 win in game two. Belmont Abbey is now 12-20 overall and 6-6 in Conference Carolinas, while Barton is now 17-21 overall and 3-7 in Conference Carolinas. Stewart, the Abbey's lone senior, was honored between games.

"The first game was a well played very exciting ballgame," Head Coach Ellie Hanover said. "Once again, we fought hard and found a way to win. Alysia Stewart had the game of her life. It doesn't get any better than that. I am so happy for her and glad that she shined on her day. We were all dissapointed with the second game. We just did not show up to play. We are really going to need to fight hard the rest of the way to get into the conference tournament. I believe we can do it. We just need to step up and find ways to get it done."

In the opener, Barton leadoff hitter Jessica McFadden, who finished a combined seven for seven in both games, led off the game with a triple to right and scored on a single from Stacy Wade.

The Barton lead was short lived as the Crusaders moved ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the inning on one swing of the bat. Carol-Anne Sherrill laced a one out single to center. After a popout, Anna Smart lined a double down the leftfield line. Both runners came in on Stewart's three run blast to right center to move the Abbey ahead 3-1.

Barton battled back in the bottom of the third to tie the game at three, taking advantage of an Abbey error to score twice. One inning later, another Abbey defensive miscue led to a Barton run, as the Bulldogs moved ahead 4-3, but it would not score again.

In the sixth, the Crusaders pushed the tying run across as Stewart led off with a double to left center. Brooke Baliles sacrificed her to third, and Kelly Schweizer brought her home when she beat out an infield single.

In the top of the seventh Barton appeared to have scored the winning run, but was nullified when the umpire ruled that Michole Brown touched the ball while running to first after a drag bunt down the line. That play was setup by Autumn Pittman's leadoff single to center. She was sacrificed to second by Autumn Herrin and moved to third on a single by pinch hitter Rebecka Morgan. After Morgan stole second, Cassie Blackmon's bunt in front of the plate bounced up and hit her on the leg in fair territory for an out. One batter later, Brown dropped a two strike bunt down the first base line and raced to first, and made it there without a throw, allowing Pittman to score, but the field umpire ruled that Brown kicked the ball while running to first, and was called out.

With the score tied at four in the bottom of the seventh, the first two Crusaders were retired before Becca Rothrock drew a walk. She was lifted for pinch runner Alana Ryczek, who moved to second on a walk to Smart. After a pitching change, Stewart split the gap in left centerfield, allowing Ryczek to score the winning run without a play.

Brittany Southard earned the win in three and two-thirds innings of relief, scattering four hits but not allowing a run. She walked one and struck out one. Barton starter Elizabeth Webb took the loss. She gave up five runs on seven hits in six and two-thirds innings. She walked five and struck out a pair.

In the nightcap, Barton jumped ahead 4-0 in the top of the first as it took advantage of two Abbey errors. It would add another run in the third on an RBI single by Samantha Colein.

The Abbey's runs came in the bottom of the sixth as Sherrill reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a homer to right center by Rothrock.

Barton pitcher Emily Jordan worked a complete game to take the win, holding the Abbey to two runs on ten hits, striking out four and walking none. Emily Self took the loss. She yielded five runs, three earned, on seven hits in three innings. She walked one and struck out one.