Ian Vazquez made the most of his one plate appearance Wednesday evening at Bears Field, as the Miramar, Puerto Rico native doubled home Gabby Amor, then sprinted home on a botched intentional walk to become the eventual winning run as the Belmont Abbey Crusaders beat the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears by an 11-8 score. The Crusaders run their record to 7-0-1 on the season, as they approach a three game series against Pfeiffer. The weekend set is the Conference Carolinas opener for both clubs.

After surrendering a solo homer to Mike Gasque in the first, Kennan Stanley roped a two run homer over the left field wall to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead. The homer was Stanley's first of his collegiate career, and was one of two hits he had on the day. Gabby Amor and John Pilla each rapped consecutive RBI hits in the fourth, with Pilla scoring on a groundout from Anthony Dimino to give the Crusaders a 5-1 lead. The momentum was carried into the sixth when Michael Falsetti doubled home Levi Wright and Dimino with a ringing double to left centerfield to expand the lead to six runs. Lenoir Rhyne plated four men in the bottom of the sixth to claw back to 7-5, setting the table for an eighth inning that saw the Crusaders lead disappear on a three run double by Kings Mountain, NC native Rai Robinson off reliever Ryan Allen, seizing the lead, and momentum. Momentum quickly reunited with the Crusaders as Gabby Amor cranked a one out double to give the Crusaders new life, and became the setting for Vazquez to prove to be the Bears villain. After Amor reached third on a wild pitch, the junior infielder ripped a shot to the left centerfield gap that scored Amor. Pinch Hitter Matt Mazzolla drew a walk, and was lifted for eventual winning pitcher Ryan Allen to run at first. Vazquez and Allen executed a double steal with two down to bring Dimino up. The Bears attempted to throw four wide ones to Dimino, with the second escaping catcher Mickey Manser and roll to the backstop. Vazquez took off and got in ahead of the return throw. After completing the intentional free pass, Conor Kwalwasser banged a double to the left field corner, sending home Allen and Dimino. Allen finished off the Bears in order to record his first win of the year.

The Crusaders series with Pfeiffer begins with a single game at 2:30pm Friday, followed by a doubleheader Saturday. Play-by-play coverage of the Abbey Sports Network on WGNC 1450am will begin at 2:15pm. The game is also online at www.wgnc.net .