The Belmont Abbey baseball team dropped both games of a Conference Carolinas opener at Barton this afternoon, falling 11-9 and 6-0. Barton is now 19-22 overall and 9-14 in Conference Carolinas, while the Abbey falls to 26-15-1 overall and 10-11 in Conference Carolinas.

In the opener, the Crusaders jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on an RBI double by Michael Falsetti, scoring Anthony Dimino.

One inning later, the Bulldogs scored three times to take their first lead, but the Crusaders matched it in the top of the third on an RBI single from Kyle Buchanan and a two RBI double by Kennan Stanley.

The following inning the Crusaders added to their lead as they plated four runs to move ahead 8-3. Dimino ripped a two RBI double and Conor Kwalwasser added a two RBI single. The Crusaders tacked on another run in the sixth to extend its lead to 9-3, as Buchanan's single up the middle brought home Falsetti, who began the inning with a double.

However, Belmont Abbey did not score again as the Bulldogs scored the last eight runs of the game, starting with three in the sixth. They added one more in the seventh to cut the deficit to 9-7.

Down to its final three outs, and down by two runs, Barton scored four times in the bottom of the ninth, as Avery Harper's two run walkoff home run gave the Bulldogs the win.

Christian Oliver picked up the win in five innings of relief, allowing one run on four hits, striking out seven. Emilio Pagan took the loss after giving up four runs on four hits in two innings.

In the seven inning nightcap, Barton scored one in the first and tacked on three more in the fourth and single runs in the fifth and sixth.

Kyle Norville limited the Abbey to just two hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out four and walking just one to get the win. Cody Stull was saddled with the loss after yielding six runs, five earned, on seven hits in six innings, fanning eight.

Game 1 Box

Game 2 Box