DUE WEST, S.C. -- The Belmont Abbey opened Conference Carolinas play Tuesday afternoon with a sweep of Erskine, winning the first game 10-0 before taking the nightcap 9-5.
Bailey Presley and
Morgan Smith each had four hits as the Crusaders totaled 20 on the afternoon.
Belmont Abbey improved to 4-8, 2-0, while Erskine fell to 7-5, 0-2.
THE OPENER
- Smith had three hits in the contest, including a two-run double in the first.
- Up 3-0 after four, the Crusaders struck for seven runs in the fifth to earn the early victory. Payton Whitley homered to lead off the inning, then Melissa Neyhouse hit a grand slam later in the frame.
- Annabeth Watkins (2-4) earned the win, scattering four hits. She walked two and struck out three. Erskine starter Hannah Houge suffered her first defeat of the season (6-1).
THE NIGHTCAP
- Presley duplicated her Game One performance of two hits, with Katie Allison and Savanah Goad-Cortes also reaching that total.
- The Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and led 8-1 in the middle of the fourth.
- Despite the 11 hits, only two of The Abbey's nine runs were earned with Erskine committing five errors.
- Hailey Gass drive in a pair of runs.
- Alannah Browne (1-2) allowed just one run in 4.2 innings to earn the win. Chloe Hamilton (0-4) took the loss.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey stays on the road for two more conference games.
- The Crusaders travel to Mount Olive on Sunday.
