Belmont Abbey catcher Kyle Buchanan broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out, two RBI single up the middle in the top of the 11th, and Gabby Amor plated Buchanan with a single as the Crusaders upset the seventh-ranked Francis Marion Patriots 5-2 this afternoon at Cormell Field. It is the Abbey's second win over a nationally-ranked team this year as it moves to 7-3, while Francis Marion drops to 4-3.The Crusaders started the scoring in the top of the first. Ian Vazquez led off with a single and advance all the way to third when catcher Jacob Golliday's pickoff attempt sailed down the right field line. Caleb Shore lifted a fly ball into foul territory down the left field line to allow Vazquez to tag up and score the first run of the game.

Francis Marion responded in the bottom of the first as Brock McCallister singled to start the inning and advanced to third on Tyler Hibbs single. Abbey starter Nate Cudney induced a double play off the bat of Buddy Sosnoskie, but McCallister managed to score from third on the play to knot the score at one. Stephen Tarkenton singled with two outs and moved to second after John Jones drew a walk, however the threat was ended when Cudney induced Will Chandler to ground into a fielder's choice.

The Abbey regained a 2-1 advantage in the top of the second on Buchanan's solo shot to left field, his second home run of the season.

Francis Marion loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second, but failed to capitalize as Sosnoskie flied out to left field for out number three.

Cudney got into a rhythm for the Crusaders over the next four innings allowing only two hits while striking out eight. Matt Broderick was equally as effective for Francis Marion allowing four hits while shutting out the Abbey through the remainder of regulation.

Francis Marion knotted the score at two in the bottom of the seventh. After Cudney rolled two ground outs to start the inning, Sosnoskie reached on a single to right field and stole second. Tarkenton singled through the left side, just out of reach of a diving Vasquez, to drive in Sosnoskie and tie the game.

The Patriots threatened again in the bottom of the ninth. McCallister singled to start the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hibbs. After Sosnoskie was intentionally walked, Tarkenton lifted a fly ball to right field that allowed McCallister to advance to third. Abbey reliever Emilio Pagan, in for Dakota Irwin, induced a fielder's choice by Jones to end the threat and send the game to extra innings.

The Abbey failed to score in the top of the tenth despite having runners on the corners with one out. Pagan walked to begin the inning and advanced to second on Amor's sacrifice bunt. Vazquez reached on a fielding error by McCallister that allowed Pagan to reach third. The Crusaders opportunity was extinguished when Shore grounded into a double play to end the inning.

In the top of the eleventh the Crusaders broke through for three runs. Justin Vasquez lead off with a double to left center field and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Consecutive groundouts by John Cucchiarella and Michael Vargas left the Abbey only one out to work with. Joey Frabasile drew a walk and stole second to put runners at second and third. Buchanan chopped a singled up the middle to clear the bases and put the Crusaders on top. Pagan followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Amor's single to left center plated Buchanan and capped the scoring to give the Abbey a 5-2 victory.

Buchanan led the way for the Crusaders going 2-5 on the day with a home run and three RBIs. Amor went 2-4 at the plate with an RBI. Vasquez was 2-5 and scored a run. Cudney started and pitched seven innings for the Abbey and struck out nine while only giving up two runs. Pagan took the victory with three scoreless innings of relief.

McCallister had a big day for the Patriots going 4-6 with a run scored. Tarkenton was 3-6 at the plate with an RBI. Matt Broderick started for Francis Marion and went nine innings and struck out seven while giving up two runs. Dyson Coker was saddled with the loss after pitching one and a third innings and giving up three runs on two hits.