NEWPORT, Ky. -- Top-seeded Belmont Abbey won a pair of best-of-seven Baker matches Saturday to stand as the lone unbeaten team at the 2026 Conference Carolinas/Great Midwest Men's Bowling Championship on Saturday. The wins put the Crusaders in in their fourth straight championship round at 9 a.m Sunday, needing to win only the Mega-Match or the if-neccesary match for their fourth straight title.

After receiving a first-round bye and not playing Friday, Belmont Abbey won 4-1 against Barton. The Bulldogs actually won a second game of the five, but a rules violation and subsequent pin deduction turned the game in the Crusaders' favor.

Immediately following, The Abbey took on No. 2 seed Emmanuel, which had the next bye after winning Friday. The Crusaders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, then after a Lions' win in the third, took the final two Baker games for the 4-1 win.

The Crusaders will face Emanuel again at 9 a.m. on Sunday in the final. The teams will start with a Mega-Match consisting of traditional, Baker total and Baker best-of-seven components. A second Baker match would be necessary if the Lions win the first.


SECOND ROUND (Best-of-Seven/Belmont Abbey wins 4-1)
 

Team	1	2	3	4	5
No. 5 Barton	220	185	197	160*	175
No. 1 Belmont Abbey	244	181	199	157	200

WINNER'S BRACKET FINAL (Best-of-Seven/Belmont Abbey wins 4-1)
 

Team	1	2	3	4	5
No. 2 Emmanuel	157	149	201	178	143
No. 1 Belmont Abbey	169	176	190	192	192