DUNCAN, S.C. -- Belmont Abbey opened the Conference Carolinas portion of its 2025 softball schedule Wednesday afternoon, dropping a doubleheader at Northwest Division rival Converse. The Crusaders fell victim to a walk-off home run in the opener, then dropped the nightcap 11-1 in five innings.
With the results, The Abbey stands at 13-9 overall and 0-2 in league play, while the Valkyries are now 9-15, 2-0.
THE OPENER
- The game was a defensive battle with just six hits between the teams -- two by The Abbey and four by Converse.
- The game was scoreless through six innings when The Abbey struck first. Kennedy Teasley walked before Phillips singled to left and took second on the throw to third. After Sami Kirk was hit by a pitch, a wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run.
- In Converse's half-inning, a lead-off single was followed by a sacrifice to put the tying run in scoring position. Kiarra Thomas won the game with home run to left.
- Lily Hartsell took the loss to fall to 7-3. She did not walk a batter, while striking out seven.
THE NIGHTCAP
- McKenna Meadors went 3-for-3 to lead the offensive attack, with Lily Garnett-Brown, Abby Piesker and Ruthie Allen adding pinch-hit singles.
- The lone Crusader run came on a sacrifice fly by Sage Farmer in the fourth.
- Erin Gill (2-2) retired just one of the seven batters she faced, allowing six runs (four earned).
- Meadors came on as the third pitcher of the day and allowed just three hits and one run over the final 3.0 innings.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey has the weekend off after expected weather postponed a Saturday doubleheader at Young Harris.
- The Crusaders now face North Greenville at home on Tuesday.
