BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey baseball team opened up its series with Chowan with a season-high 21 runs as the Crusaders earned a 21-9 victory over the Hawks.
The Crusaders got off to a hot start by scoring eight runs over the first two innings with all but one batter recording a hit and RBI. Additionally, the Abbey was aggressive on the base paths by finishing with a season-high 13 stolen bases.
Caleb Burr finished with two hits, four RBI and four stolen bases.
Connor Powell had three hits and also had three stolen bases to his credit.
Connor Tucker also had four stolen bases as well to his credit.
With the win, Belmont Abbey improves to 22-11 overall and 12-7 in Conference Carolinas play. Chowan is now 4-20, 2-14 in the league.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Drew Stegura helped set the pace for Belmont Abbey by allowing just one hit and one walk through the first three innings.
- He earned his fifth win of the season by striking out four in five innings.
- The Crusaders tagged the Hawks with three runs in the first innings starting with an RBI single from Whitaker. Tucker and Burr scored runs by stealing home.
- Belmont Abbey broke the game open in the second with another RBI single from Whitaker followed by Powell stealing home and an RBI single from Connor Tucker.
- Burr capped the inning with his team-leading ninth home run of the year to make it 8-0 Belmont Abbey.
- Chowan got closer with a five-run fourth inning but the Crusaders pushed the lead further with a seven-run frame led off by a solo home run from Todd Velotta.
- Justin Herrera added an RBI double, Jack Boyles scored on a passed ball and Herrera later scored on an RBI single from Connor Powell.
- Tucker added another RBI double and Burr added a two-run double to cap the scoring.
- The Crusaders added six more runs in the seventh to cap the Belmont Abbey offense.
- Blake Hanly recorded the final four outs of the game to give Belmont Abbey its second straight win.
UP NEXT
- The Belmont Abbey baseball team concludes the series with a doubleheader against Chowan.
- First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon at Abbey Yard.