BELMONT, N.C. – Joe Whitaker drove in six runs at the plate while
Ethan Wilson put together a strong relief outing as the Belmont Abbey baseball team opened its final Conference Carolinas regular season series with a 9-6 victory over King Friday at Abbey Yard.
The six runs driven in by Whitaker is the most by any Crusader this season as Belmont Abbey took the lead in the second inning and broke it open with a four-run seventh inning. Additionally, he extended his season-best hitting streak to eight games.
Wilson was one strikeout shy of his career best by punching out nine Tornado batters in 5.2 innings.
The Crusaders improved to 34-14 overall and 15-13 in the league. The Tornado dropped to 15-29 overall, 5-21 in the conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- King took an early lead in the top of the second inning before Whitaker and Todd Velotta drove in three total runs on consecutive RBI doubles to give Belmont Abbey a 3-1 lead.
- The Tornado cut the deficit with a home run in the third but Whitaker continued his strong day at the plate with a two-run double to make it 5-2 in favor of the Crusaders.
- Belmont Abbey added to its lead in the seventh with an RBI double by Garrett Browder and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Joey Humphrey. Browder finished with two hits on the day.
- Whitaker capped off the day with a two-run single to make it 9-2 in favor of the Crusaders.
- King tried to rally with a pair of home runs in the ninth but Josh Mruk recorded the final out to secure the victory.
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