Freshman outfielder Shannon Arthur clubbed a walk-off grand slam with one out in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Crusaders softball team past Seton Hill 4-3 as the Abbey opened the Rebel Spring Games with a pair of wins today in Kissimmee, Florida. The Crusaders opened the day with a 13-2 win over Fayetteville State in five innings. The Abbey is now 4-12 on the year.

"Today was a solid day for us," Head Coach Ellie Hanover said. "We put together a great effort at the plate. The Seton Hill game was a well played game by both teams. We really battled back in that game and found a way to win. We started the game off well. Our plan was to work the pitcher's count as deep as we could. We had some quality at bats. We seemed to get away from that for a few innings but showed some discipline in the 6th and 7th innings. Shannon's hit was was clutch. She had struggled earlier in the game but made some great adjustments. Mike (Self) and I are proud of the girls today."

The Crusaders opened at 9:00 a.m. this morning with the win over Fayetteville State, then took on Seton Hill. In that game, the Abbey entered the bottom of the seventh down 4-2. Carol-Anne Sherrill doubled home a run to cut the lead to 4-3. Her hit was followed by a walk and a single to load the bases for Arthur, who ended the game with a homer to give the Abbey a 7-4 win.

Belmont Abbey is back in action twice tomorrow, taking on Wheeling Jesuit at 9:00 a.m. and a return matchup with Fayetteville State at 11:00 a.m.