Belmont, N.C. – The Warriors fell in double header action to end the three game series against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders.  Southern Wesleyan lost game one 17-0 and game two in a final of 4-2.

The Warriors only post two hits in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday.  DiMarkus Sanders and Avery Mahon were the lone Warriors with hits in the loss.  Julio Justo led the team with two walks.  Josh Antwine started the game for Southern Wesleyan, going four innings while striking out three batters during the loss.

Southern Wesleyan posted seven hits in the loss to Belmont Abbey.  DiMarkus Sanders and Izzy Martinez led the Warriors with two hits.  Sanders and fellow senior Drew Carson both hit doubles during the game.  Steven Perez and Martinez each hit a sacrifice bunt in the loss.  JJ Julian started game two for the Warriors, going six innings and only allowing four hits, two runs and four walks while striking out 10 batters.

Game Vitals

Final Game One: Belmont Abbey 17, Southern Wesleyan 0

Final Game Two: Belmont Abbey 4, Southern Wesleyan 2

Records: Southern Wesleyan (7-19 / CC 3-9), Belmont Abbey (18-11 / CC 10-5)

How It Happened

Game One

The Belmont Abbey Crusaders struck first in game one of the doubleheader scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning.  They struck again in the bottom of the third to put a fourth run on the board.  Their lead increased to 8-0 in the fourth and went on to win game one 17-0.

Game Two

The Warriors struck first in game two of the afternoon.  Christian Ketchup led off the inning with a walk and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Steven Perez.   Ketchup advanced to third on a wild pitch and then came home to score on a throwing error by the Crusaders' catcher.  Izzy Martinez followed with a single up the middle, however the Warriors could not capitalize on the base runner as the next batters flew out to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, Southern Wesleyan struck again.  Steven Perez led off the inning reach first base on a throwing error by the shortstop and then moved on to second on a sacrifice bunt by Izzy Martinez.  DiMarkus Sanders was hit by a pitch and then both base runners advanced bases on a wild pitch.  A throwing error by the catch brought Perez home to give Southern Wesleyan a 2-0 lead over Belmont Abbey in game two.

However, Belmont Abbey would not go down without a fight, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game 2-2.  They went on to take a 4-2 lead on a two-run home run by Nunziato in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game and sweep the series.

What's Next

The Warriors will return to the Con on March 21 to take on the Truett-McConnell Bears at 6 pm.  They will remain at home for the rest of the week, taking on the Young Harris Mountain Lions on March 22 at 6pm and then hosting a three game series to Conference Carolinas Limestone College Saints on March 24 and 25.