FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey pounded out 27 hits - eight for extra bases -- over 12 innings Wednesday, leading to a doubleheader sweep of Fayetteville State in collegiate softball action. The Crusaders rallied for a 10-8 victory in game one before a 16-3 five-inning win in the nightcap.
With its second doubleheader sweep of the season, The Abbey improves to 5-7 on the season.
THE OPENER
- After falling behind 2-0 in the first, Belmont Abbey tied the game with two outs in the second on a Mackenzie Sprinkle single and Jordyn Stefani double.
- The Crusaders took a 3-2 lead in the third with an RBI double from Sydney Pon.
- Sprinkle finished with three hits while Stefani and Trinity Wall had two hits.
- The Crusaders extended the lead with three runs in the fourth. Hallie Mele delivered a two-run double and later scored on an error.
- A four-run seventh provide just insurance for the win. Two runs scored on an error while Ruthie Allen added a two-run single in the frame.
- Adison Yoder earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings of relief.
- Alannah Browne got the final two outs in the seventh to earn the save.
THE NIGHTCAP
- Pon and Browne each had three hits, while four others had a pair of hits each.
- The Crusaders opened a 2-0 lead in the first on RBI singles by Browne and Sprinkle.
- Seven runs in the second broke the game open. Pon doubled in the first two, followed by an RBI single by Browne and RBI double by Sprinkle. Gianna Rodriguez singled in two runs to cap the scoring.
- Pon's two-run homer in the third pushed the lead to 11-0, while five runs highlighted by Pon and Browne each bringing in two more.
- Browne picked up the win to improve to 2-5.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey returns to action on Saturday.
- The Crusaders travel to Limestone for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1.
