LAURINBURG, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey softball team continued its best start in program history with a doubleheader sweep at St. Andrew's Thursday. The Crusaders defeated the Knights 1-0 in Game 1 before closing out the doubleheader with a 9-0 win in five innings in Game 2.
The doubleheader also marked the first road contests of the season for The Abbey.
The Crusaders are now 8-0 on the season while the Knights are 1-5.
GAME 1
- Cameron Cooper recorded the first hit of the game for the Abbey with a two-out single in the top of the second inning and also stole second base.
- Cooper scored on an RBI double from Marlie Stilwell to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.
- Belmont Abbey was able to work its way out of a jam in the fourth inning by turning a double play with a strikeout and also stopping a runner from trying to advance to second base.
- Abby Craver moved to 5-0 on the season by pitching a shutout for the second straight start. She has not allowed a run in her last four appearances.
GAME 2
- The Crusaders got on the scoreboard with a two-run top of the third inning as Emily Morgan and Cameron Cooper both drew bases loaded walks in consecutive at-bats.
- Payton Whitley extended the Crusaders' lead to 4-0 with a two-run double in the top of the fourth inning. She later scored on an RBI groundout from Sydney Pon.
- The Abbey added four more runs in the fifth inning, starting with Hallie Mele drawing a walk with the bases loaded to make it 6-0.
- After another run scored via a wild pitch, Sydney Pon and Kellee Branham hit consecutive RBI singles to give Belmont Abbey a 9-0 lead.
- Branham finished with a career-best four hits for the day.
- Belmont Abbey also finished with 12 hits in Game 2.
- Alannah Browne earned her first win of the season with five shutout innings and finishing with five strikeouts for the contest.
UP NEXT
The Crusaders return home for a doubleheader against Southern New Hampshire University beginning at noon Saturday at Crusader Field.
