The Belmont Abbey softball team suffered a pair of crucial losses to the visiting Limestone Saints this afternoon, dropping the opener 4-2 and losing the nightcap, 4-2. The Abbey falls to 10-32 overall and 3-13 in Conference Carolinas, while Limestone moves to 21-25 overall and 11-9 in Conference Carolinas.

Limestone first baseman Kirstyn Burleson was responsible for seven of the eight runs scored in the doubleheader as she gave the Saints a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with the first of her three home runs in the doubleheader, a solo shot down the leftfield line.

Neither team scored again until the bottom of the fourth when the Abbey grabbed the lead on an error by Burleson. Aleisha Peek ripped a one out single to center, followed by a single to right by Shannon Arthur. After Arthur was cut down at second on a fielder's choice that allowed Brittany Southard to reach first, Shanie McConnell blooped a pop up behind the bag at first, where the ball went through Burleson's glove and landed just in fair territory where the dirt meets the outfield grass, allowing Peek to score. When throw to second to nab McConnell was late, Kaylie Mae Kuhnke, pinch-running for Southard, scored on the throw to put Crusaders ahead 2-1.

The Abbey's lead lasted until the top of the sixth when Burleson struck again, clubbing a two-run shot to left center, scoring Alex Aburto in front of her after she was hit by a pitch. The round-tripper moved the Saints ahead 3-2.

Belmont Abbey had its best chance to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the inning. Arthur blasted a leadoff double and was replaced by pinch runner McKenzi Edwards. A sacrifice bunt attempt by Southard was lifted in the air, high enough for third baseman Jordan Smith to run under it and keep Edwards at second. A groundout by McConnell moved Edwards to third, but a pop out by pinch hitter Kinsey McClure, on the first pitch, retired the side.

The Saints added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Kayla Kelley doubled to center and scored on catcher Alex Brown's triple to right to extend the advantage to 4-2. The Abbey did not score in the seventh as Limestone earned the win.

Shelby Webb earned the win in a complete-game effort, allowing two unearned runs on six hits, striking out two. Nikki Faust was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on six hits, striking out five.

Arthur and Amber Faust both had two hits. Burleson totaled two, both home runs, driving in three.

In game two, Burleson produced the only two runs of the game in the top of the first, blasting a line drive homer to left center, just clearing the wall, that also plated leadoff hitter Jenna Guse, who opened the game with a bunt single. It was the only official at bat for Burleson in game two, as she was intentionally walked in her last three plate appearances.

The Crusaders made a charge in the bottom of the inning as Carol-Anne Sherrill led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Sherrill's double counted as the only hit for the Crusaders until the fifth when the Abbey threatened to score. After a groundout, Brooke Baliles singled to right center and was replaced by Edwards. A walk to Emily Self put runners on first and second with one out. Rebecca Mateo entered the game for Self and moved to second on a fielder's choice that cut down Edwards at third, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Limestone almost added to its lead in the seventh, loading the bases on a walk to Aburto, an intentional walk to Burleson and a hit by pitch to Smith, but fly out to center ended the inning. The Crusaders did not threaten in the seventh as the Saints earned the sweep.

Saints pitcher Leah Quant, who was named the Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week prior to the game, tossed a complete-game three hit shutout, fanning five. Self took the loss. She gave up two runs on five hits, walking four and striking out two.

Sherrill had two of the Abbey's three hits, a double and a single. Baliles had the other. Guse paced the Saints offense with two hits.

Game One Box

Game Two Box