The Belmont Abbey baseball team completed a three-game Conference Carolinas sweep of the visiting Limestone Saints with two wins on Saurday, dominating the seven inning opener 11-0 and overcoming eight defensive miscues in game two to post a 12-7 victory. Belmont Abbey moves to 21-7-1 overall and 7-6 in Conference Carolinas, while Limestone falls to 16-13 overall and 6-8 in Conference Carolinas.

Game One Story
Cody Stull pitched a seven inning masterpiece while getting a three hit effort from Anthony Dimino and Ryan Allen to take down the Limestone Saints 11-0 in the opening game of the Saturday doubleheader. Stull stretched his record to 5-2 on the season, allowing just three hits while striking out six.

The Crusaders got the offense in high gear early as Michael Falsetti and Kennan Stanley drove in runs on consecutive at-bats to take a quick 2-0 lead. The lead stretched to five as Kyle Buchanan, Quinn Hawksworth and Ian Vazquez all scored in the second inning. Vazquez scored on Dimino's second hit of the afternoon. The Crusaders plated four runs in the fifth as Ryan Allen drove home two runs, followed by Buchanan and Weston Clarke chasing home runs with a double and single, respectively. Gabby Amor sliced a single down the right field line in his only plate appearance of the game to score Emilio Pagan and Dimino. The Crusaders tallied 14 hits in their six turns at bat. The 14 hit outburst was the highest total since last Saturday, when the Abbey pounded out 16 hits against Erskine.

Game Two Story
The Crusaders scored nine unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to overcome some less than stellar defense to finish off Limestone 12-7 in the finale. Parks Smithey battled through innings to earn the win for the Abbey.

Trailing 6-3, the Abbey started a three run rally in the least likely way as Levi Wright struck out, but reached safely on a passed ball. Ian Vazquez walked to extend the frame, which set the scene for the most bizarre play of the afternoon. Allen's pop to right was misplayed by the second baseman, scoring Wright. The inning was extended to Dimino, who was plunked by an errant pitch that loaded the bases for Falsetti, who promptly delivered with a two run single to knot the game at six. Smithey would then be rewarded with a win as the Crusaders pushed six runners across, highlighted by Matt Mazzolla's single to left that would ultimately score Conor Kwalwasser and John Pilla. The single by Mazzolla was his second base hit in consecutive pinch hit at-bats. Mazzolla was also involved in the four run ninth Wednesday against Mars Hill.

Allen pitched the ninth to seal the sweep and take the Crusaders to their 21st win in just 29 games. The Crusaders continue their 11 game home stand against Catawba Tuesday. First pitch is at 2:30pm, with the Abbey Sports Network beginning its coverage with pregame starting at 2:15pm.

Follow the Crusaders on twitter: @abbeyathletics

Game 1 Box

Game 2 Box