Belmont, NC – Southern Wesleyan dropped the first game of the three game series against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on Friday in a 13-3 final score.

The Warriors picked up six hits in game one of the three game series.  Marty Grisso led the team with two hits and two RBIs.  Grisso picked up this third home run of the season.  The other RBI came off the bat of Justin Purdom.  Southern Wesleyan walked five times.

Steven Mufareh started on the mound for the Warriors and struck out three over four innings of work.  Four Warriors came in to pitch in relief.  Ryan Folts picked up two strikeouts while Jacob Hamby had one.


 
 
Game Vitals

Final:  Belmont Abbey 13, Southern Wesleyan 3

Records: Southern Wesleyan (7-9 / CC 3-1) Belmont Abbey (12-5 / CC )


 
 
 
How It Happened

Belmont Abbey took the early lead as home runs allowed the Crusaders to take an early 6-0 run lead. 

Southern Wesleyan challenged in the top of the fourth as they loaded up the bases, but the Crusaders would not let them come in to score.  In the bottom of the fourth, the Crusaders were able to push their lead on to 8-0 on singles by Taylor and Tucker.

Triples in the bottom of the fifth inning extended Belmont Abbey's lead to 11-0.

The Warriors challenged in the top of the sixth inning.  With one out, TJ Highsmith walked.  Marty Grisso then drilled the ball over the left field wall to put the Warriors down 11-2 to the Crusaders.

Southern Wesleyan countered in the top of the ninth inning.  Noah Wiggins led off with a single to right field and then advance to second on a wild pitch.  A fly out by Cam Mitchem allowed Wiggins to advance to third.  Patrick Walker walked to put runners at the corners and bring Justin Purdom up to back.  Walker advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Purdom followed with a groundout to short stop to allow Wiggins to score.  However the Warriors dropped the game in a 13-3 final score.
 
 

 
What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the series against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on March 4 in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.  They will remain on the road on March 7 as they travel to Dahlonega, GA to take on the University of North Georgia Nighthawks.  The Warriors will travel to Bristol, TN on March 10-11 to take on the King Tornado.  They will return to Central, SC on March 14 to host the Georgia College Bobcats on Dr. C Keith Connor Field at 4 p.m.