With Ian Vazquez back in the lineup for the Crusaders, the Crusaders believed the native of Puerto Rico would certainly make the offense a bit more dynamic. Vazquez' .367 average to go with 21 stolen bases entering the 2013 Conference Carolinas Tournament would require an answer to one question. Would Vazquez be able to get back into a rhythm in the batter's box?

Vazquez would reach base twice, scoring once, in a 1-for-4 effort that generated enough offense to overcome a five run deficit, but ultimately it was King University that did enough with the bats to take the opener by a 7-6 score at Burlington Athletic Stadium. The win for King (29-18) moves them into a winner's bracket game between the winner of Coker and Pfeiffer.

For the Crusaders (27-16-1), the offensive production was provided primarily by Michael Falsetti and Kennan Stanley. Falsetti would have the lone multi-hit game and drive in three runs, while Stanley would tie the game in the seventh with a three run clout to right center. The homer was Stanley's fifth of the season. Kyle Rogers (3-2) was tagged with the loss for the Abbey, while Alex Martin would earn the win despite giving up the homer to Stanley.

The day started in a promising fashion for the Abbey, as Falsetti would plate Ryan Allen, who reached on a one out walk. The score would stay in favor of the Crusaders until the Tornado would touch up Nate Cudney for four runs in the fourth. The sixth inning would be huge for King as they expanded their lead to 6-1 as Tom Hooker would launch a two-run homer over the right field fence. The homer for Hooker was his first, and gave starter Corey Rhodes a virtually insurmountable lead.

In the seventh, however, the Abbey roared back with a five spot. Vazquez walked with one out, and Ryan Allen pushed a seeing eye single to right to give the heart of the Crusaders order one more chance to close the gap. Anthony Dimino grounded to second for a certain double play ball. On the exchange, the ball was fumbled, loading the bases on the miscue. Michael Falsetti would make it sting, sending a single to left, scoring Vazquez and Allen. That set the scene for Stanley to hit his opposite field blast with two down. The homer tied things at six, and shifted momentum to the first dugout, occupied by the gray clad Crusaders.

Momentum was a transient friend for the Abbey, as Stephen Mullins led off with a double down the line in left to move into scoring position. Rogers was replaced by Emilio Pagan to work out of the jam. Mullins would get to third on a sacrifice bunt by Garrett Cook. After a strike out for Pagan, Hunter Smith stepped to the plate looking to retake the Tornado advantage. Running the count to 2-2, Smith would watch with delight as Pagan's pitch would sail to the backstop, scoring Mullins, and breathing life into the Tornado survival plans.

Alex Martin would now be given an opportunity to shut down the Crusaders in the eighth and ninth frames. After the next five hitters were retired in order, Head Coach Scott Brickman would call on Matt Mazzolla to extend the game. Mazzolla would continue his late inning mastery, singling to right. The game would ultimately come down to opposing pitchers, as Martin would coax a fly ball to left, ending the threat, and the game.

The loss for the Crusaders moves them into a win or go home mindset, as the will await the winner of the third game in the opening day of the tourney. For all things Conference Carolinas, log onto: www.conferencecarolinas.com for Tournament Central. The Crusaders will be on the air at 2:45pm for Crusaders Pregame, followed by a 3pm first pitch at the Burlington Athletic Stadium. The game will also be broadcast on www.wgnc.net

Yard Markers

Swinging Falsetti- Falsetti's two hit performance accounted for one-fourth of the Abbey's hit output, and 50% of the club's RBI.

Sunshine State of Mind- Kennan Stanley's three run homer put him in second place on the team with 38 RBI, five behind Dimino, one ahead of Falsetti.

Tourney Update- Coker scored twice in the ninth to hold off Pfeiffer for an 8-7 walk-off win in Game Two of the tournament. Coker now moves to a 7pm contest tomorrow, while Pfeiffer will wait on the loser of Mt. OIive / Erskine in an elimination game starting tomorrow at 11am.