After winter storm Plato wreaked havoc over much of the Conference Carolinas baseball schedule this past weekend, the Crusaders coaching staff had one philosophy: get Tuesday's game in regardless of the weather. The result was a 5-3 win over Lenoir-Rhyne at a soggy, chilly Abbey Yard.

The Bears sought revenge against an Abbey club that snatched away a road win a week ago by plating four runs in the ninth. The Bears jumped ahead of starter Nate Cudney by taking advantage of a rare leadoff walk to Mike Gasque in the first. After a David Martin sacrifice bunt, Ivan Vietez singled up the middle to send Gasque racing home with an early 1-0 lead.

In the second inning, Michael Falsetti hit an elevated fastball off Austen Gunnells over the left centerfield fence some 385' away from home plate. The homer was Falsetti's first of the season, and his seventh extra base hit. The score remained deadlocked until the fifth as Emilio Pagan hit a majestic blast to right giving the Abbey a 2-1 lead. After an Anthony Dimino single, the Bears went to the bullpen with Casey Liles. Levi Wright entered in the fourth to play right field, and the hunch played by the coaching staff worked almost immediately as Wright deposited a fastball over the left field fence in his first at-bat. The two run shot was Wright's first of his college career, giving Belmont Abbey a 4-1 lead. Gabby Amor scored Kennan Stanley with a broken bat single to cap the rally as Cudney would finish the sixth in order, handing Parks Smithey a 5-1 lead.

Smithey recorded six K's in 2.2 innings (2ER) before handing the ball over to Emilio Pagan. After Pagan surrendered consecutive singles to Austin Bundy and Mike Gasque, Pagan struck out David Martin to end the game. For Pagan, he recorded his third save of the season, securing Nate Cudney's third win of the year.

For Lenoir-Rhyne, Colton Hansley collected three hits, while Vietez earned two hits. David Martin's solo blast was his second of the season.

For the Abbey, Falsetti and Dimino paced the offense with two hits apiece. The three homer afternoon marked the first time the Crusaders hit multiple homers in consecutive games.

This weekend, the Crusaders host King College in a three game set beginning Friday afternoon. Cody Stull climbs the hill at 2:30, seeking his second win over the Tornado. The Scott Brickman Show will air on Thursday at multiple occasions (check local listings) on www.wgnc.net . Airtime for the pregame show will begin at 2:15pmEST/11:15pmPST.

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