GAFFNEY, SC- Limestone claimed four of six victories in singles matches, as the Saints edged Belmont Abbey, 5-4, Saturday afternoon at the Emmie Evans Rector Tennis Center in Gaffney. This was the conference opener for both teams. The Crusaders are now 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Conference Carolinas, while Limestone goes to 1-0 overall, and 1-0 in conference play.

Belmont Abbey claimed two of the three doubles matches, as Juan Baez and James Delaney earned a 8-5 win in the top flight. In flight two, Young-Jin Kang and Grant Goldin added and 8-1 win at number two, to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead entering the six singles matches.

In singles play, Baez along with Kang earned victories for the Crusaders. Baez, playing at the number one flight, defeated Gustavo D'Ascenzi of Limestone, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, while Kang won the #4 singles flight at 6-2, 6-1.

Delaney took an early lead with a 6-7 set but had to battle for three long sets against Benji Lascari Diaz. They would battle for nearly three hours before Diaz bested Delaney 6-3 and 7-6 to close out the afternoon.

The Crusaders return to action on Tuesday, February 9 against Augusta University at the Michael Reidy Tennis Center. Match time is 12 noon.

Limestone College 5, Belmont Abbey 4

Singles Competition

1. Juan Baez (BAC) def. Gustavo D'Ascenzi (LIMEM) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

2. Stefano Soares (LIMEM) def. Grant Goldin (BAC) 6-2, 6-1

3. Benji Lascari Diaz (LIMEM) def. James Delaney (BAC) 6-7, 6-3, 7-6

4. Young-Jin Kang (BAC) def. Luka Stanec (LIMEM) 6-2, 6-1

5. Giacomo Campus (LIMEM) def. Laine Harrett (BAC) 6-2, 6-2

6. Guillermo Ortega (LIMEM) def. Tomas Pardo (BAC) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles Competition

1. Juan Baez/James Delaney (BAC) def. Gustavo D'Ascenzi/Stefano Soares (LIMEM) 8-5

2. Young-Jin Kang/Grant Goldin (BAC) def. Luka Stanec/Benji Lascari Diaz (LIMEM) 8-1

3. Giacomo Campus/Guillermo Ortega (LIMEM) def. Laine Harrett/Nikhil Reddy (BAC) 8-2