Belmont Abbey freshman centerfielder Aleisha Peek hit three home runs, two in the second game, and freshman pitcher Nikki Faust tossed a complete-game three hit shutout in game one as the Crusader softball team gained an important two game sweep at Lees-McRae this afternoon. The Abbey took the opener 4-0 and won the second game 5-1.

The Abbey is now 15-33 overall and 6-14 in Conference Carolinas, while Lees-McRae drops to 13-32 overall and 4-14 in Conference Carolinas. .

"Today was a great day," Head Coach Ellie Hanover said. " We played as a team. Our pitching, hitting and defense was on. Nikki and Emily pitched great in the circle. Aleisha had the best day of her college career. We worked very hard as a team to get this sweep today. Tomorrow is senior day and I hope Kelly, Chelsea and Katie have a day. I know their teammates are going to step up tomorrow as well. We are all excited to get back out there."

Peek entered today's doubleheader with a .315 average with one home run in 35 games. After today's 4-7, four RBI day, she is now hitting .333 with four home runs.

In game one, Nikki Faust tossed a complete-game three hit shutout to give the Abbey the win. The Abbey scored the only run it would need in the top of the first as Kelly Schweizer reached on a one out walk, and moved all the way to third on a two base error on a wild throw. Shannon Arthur's groundout to second scored Schweizer for the game's first run.

Peek made it 2-0 in the fourth with a solo homer, and Faust made the lead stand up, as she faced the minimum in the fourth and fifth, working around a single in the fifth with an inning-ending double play.

The Crusader offense put the game away in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on four hits. Schweizer led off with an infield single and scored on Amber Faust's double to right center. Arthur's groundout moved Faust to third, and she scored on Katie Childers's infield single to up the advantage to 4-0.

Nikki Faust set the Bobcats down in order in the sixth, and worked around a double in the top of the seventh to keep Lees-McRae off the board and earn the win. Faust scattered just three hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out two. Laurel Gregg took the loss as she gave up four runs, three earned, on eight hits. She struck out four and walked one.

Schweizer finished with two hits and scored two runs. Peek's only hit of the first game was her solo homer.

In the second game the Abbey jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the second as Kaylie Mae Kuhnke, pinch running for Brittany Southard, scored from third on a fielder's choice.

Lees-McRae matched it in the bottom of the frame on Kristen Oakes's RBI single to right center, scoring Karli Robb. But that was all Lees-McRae would get as Emily Self held the Bobcats hitless over the final three and one-thirds innings. She retired the final ten batters she faced after giving up a hit with two outs in the fourth. Only two of those ten outs reached the oufield, as eight of the outs recorded were groundouts.

While Self kept Lees-McRae off the board, the Crusaders broke the tie in the third on Peek's second homer of the day, a solo shot to right with two outs. Two innings later, Peek struck again, not with a home run but with a single up the middle that brought home Carol-Anne Sherrill, who led off the inning with an infield single.

The Abbey put the game away in the seventh. Peek went deep again, this one a leadoff blast to center to widen the lead to 4-1, and the final run of the game was scored on a Lees-McRae error, as Shannon Cardillo, pinch running for Arthur, scored from third on an error by the first baseman.

Self sealed the win with three groundouts in the bottom of the inning as she, and the team, earned the win. Self struck out one batter and scattered three hits. Hollie Crickenberger suffered the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in five innings, fanning four.

Peek finished three for four, with two homers and a single, in four at bats with three RBI. Arthur and Sherrill both finished with two hits.

Game One Box

Game Two Box