Belmont, N.C. – Southern Wesleyan fell in game one of the three game series against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on March 17 in a final score of 16-2.

Southern Wesleyan posted nine hits in the loss to the Crusaders.  John Garrett, DiMarkus Sanders and Conner Ewing led the Warriors with two hits apiece.  Trevor Walker led Southern Wesleyan with two RBIs in the loss.  Mike Batten started the first game and went 4.1 innings while striking out five and allowing nine hits.

Game Vitals

Final: Belmont Abbey 16, Southern Wesleyan 2

Records: Southern Wesleyan (7-17 / CC 3-7), Belmont Abbey (16-11 / CC 8-5)

How It Happened

Belmont Abbey struck first in the bottom of the third inning to take a 2-0 lead over Southern Wesleyan.  They went on to increase their lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth and then score four more runs in the fifth inning.

Southern Wesleyan fought back in the top of the sixth inning.  John Garrett led off the inning with a single up the middle and then advanced to second on a single by senior DiMarkus Sanders.  Conner Ewing singled through the right side to move both of the runners and load up the bases.  With the bases loaded and no outs, Trevor Walker singled up the middle to bring both Sanders and Garrett home to bring the Warriors to 11-2 behind the Crusaders.

The Crusaders struck again in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring five runs on four hits and leaving two on base.  Belmont Abbey won the game in a final score of 16-2.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will continue their series against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on March 18 at 1 and 4 pm.  The Warriors will then return home to take on the Truett-McConnell Bears on March 21 and the Young Harris Mountain Lions on March 22 before returning to Conference Carolinas action on March 24 and 25 to take on the Limestone College Saints at the Conn.