DUNCAN, S.C. – The Belmont Abbey softball team saw its 2023 season come to an end in an extra-inning battle with No. 9 seed UNC Pembroke Friday evening in the Conference Carolinas Tournament play-in game at Tyger River Park. The start of the tournament had been delayed due to inclement weather on Thursday. 
 
The Crusaders rallied back from four-run deficits on two separate occasions before a late Braves surge in the ninth proved to be the difference in a 14-9 result in favor of UNC Pembroke.
 
Bailey Presley led The Abbey offense with three hits and four runs batted in, including a three-run home run in the eighth to keep the game alive.
 
Belmont Abbey concludes the season with an 18-25 record while UNC Pembroke improves to 19-29 and advances to face top-seeded King later Friday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sydney Pon put Belmont Abbey on the board with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second inning.
• Alannah Browne started the game at third base before later moving into the game in the circle.
• UNC Pembroke pulled even with a leadoff home run in the fourth before pulling ahead thanks to a four-run fifth inning.
• The Crusaders chipped away in the fifth with consecutive RBI singles from Presley and Mackenzie Sprinkle.
• The Belmont Abbey rally continued in the sixth with two more RBI singles from Marlie Stillwell and Hallie Mele.
• The back-and-forth battle would continue with the Braves adding four in the eighth inning before the Crusaders responded in kind.
• Belmont Abbey cut the deficit down to 9-6 when Giovana Rodriguez scored on a fielding error by the Braves.
• The Crusaders were down to their final out before Presley's game-tying home run.
• A pair of home runs in the ninth inning proved to be the difference to extend the lead to 14-9 for UNC Pembroke.