NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jack Boyles, Joe Whitaker and Justin Herrera all had two-hit, two-RBI days for Belmont Abbey but a late rally was not enough as Trevecca Nazarene defeated the Crusaders 11-9 in the series opener Friday evening at Jackson Field.
 
What started as a previously scheduled doubleheader turned into a single contest as weather forced two separate delays in the contest. The start of the game was delayed over two hours and there was an additional hour-long delay in the top of the fourth inning.
 
Despite trailing 9-1 and 11-6 at different points of the game, the Crusaders had the go-ahead run on base in the top of the ninth inning. Trevecca Nazarene was able to hold off the charge by The Abbey to secure the win.
 
The Crusaders are now 2-3 on the season while the Trojans are now 2-0 on the season.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams went scoreless in the first two innings but the Crusaders struck first in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly from Boyles to drive in Herrera. Herrera reached on a one-out single earlier in the inning.
• Trevecca Nazarene responded in the bottom of the frame with a nine-run burst to take a 9-1 lead over The Abbey.
• The first four Crusaders reached base safely in the fourth with Whitaker and Carter DuHaime scoring on a balk and sacrifice fly, respectively.
• Boyles led off the fifth inning with a home run to cut the deficit down to 9-4.
• Whitaker got the Crusaders back within three at 9-6 with a two-run double in the seventh.
• The Trojans extended the lead with back-to-back home runs in the bottom half of the inning.
• Herrera hit his first home run in a Crusaders uniform in the top of the eighth.
• Belmont Abbey scored two runs on a hit by pitch and an RBI single from Connor Powell in the ninth and had the bases loaded to end the game.

 
UP NEXT

• The Crusaders and Trojans conclude the series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Eastern time.
• Belmont Abbey returns home to face Mars Hill at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Abbey Yard.