MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey plated 27 runs on 18 hits Friday to sweep a season-opening doubleheader against Fayetteville State, 9-1 and 18-6. Both games were stopped after five innings by the run rule.
The wins were the first for new head coach Samantha West, who was elevated from an assistant position last Summer.
THE OPENER
- Belmont Abbey tallied just five hits in the contest, but took advantage of eight walks for the victory.
- Freshman Ella Crowe had two hits, including a two-run home run during a five-run fifth inning. She finished the contest with three RBIs
- Megan Towery also homered in the fifth, while Alayna Patrick and Ava Elkins also registered hits.
- Trinity Wall drove in a pair of runs without an official at-bat. She had the second of two bases-loaded walks in the first inning, then hit a sacrifice fly in the third.
- Freshman Sienna Garcia earned the win in her first collegiate start. She threw a complete-game four-hitter with no walks and 10 strikeouts.
THE NIGHTCAP
- Eleven different Crusaders tallied at least one hit, with Hanna Jane Gard and Jordan Stefani recording two. They both homered as part of eight extra-base hits
- The Abbey sent 17 batters to the plate in the first inning, plating 12 runs. The inning lasted 40 minutes with two Bronco pitchers combining for 72 pitches.
- The lead was 14-0 when the Broncos struck for six runs in the third, but The Abbey added four over the next two frames to secure the early win.
- Starting pitcher Lilly Hartsell retired all six batters she faced, three by strikeout, but only threw two innings before being taken out. Torey Cagno earned the win with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. She also struck out three.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey takes to the road for the first time next week.
- The Crusaders travel to Lenoir-Rhyne for a Wednesday doubleheader.
