GASTONIA, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey baseball team saw its run at the Conference Carolinas Tournament come to an end as the Crusaders fell 13-2 to Mount Olive in an elimination game Saturday at CaroMont Health Park.
Connor Tucker led the way offensively for Belmont Abbey with two hits, including his sixth home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning.
The Crusaders were held to just five hits on the day and dropped to 38-16 on the season and finish the tournament at 2-2. Mount Olive improves to 34-15 and advances to the final day of play Sunday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Trojans jumped out early to a 4-0 lead with a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning.
- Tucker had the Crusaders' first hit with an infield single in the top of the second inning.
- Patrick Taylor extended his national lead of being hit by a pitch after reaching base three on HBP's in the contest.
- The Trojans broke the game open with nine runs over the span of three innings.
- The Crusaders had two hits in the fifth inning with a single by Caleb Burr and ground-rule double from Todd Velotta.
- Ben Ferguson recorded his first hit of the game in the sixth with a one-out single. He later scored on Tucker's home run.
- Josh Mruk and Dylan Murray both made their first appearances of the tournament in relief for Belmont Abbey.
- The Crusaders had three more runners reach base in the seventh with a walk from Joe Whitaker, a pinch-hit single from Scotty Reeves and a third hit-by-pitch from Taylor.
UP NEXT
The Belmont Abbey baseball team will await its postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on May 14.
