Belmont, NC – The Warriors dropped the double header against the Crusaders on Saturday. Southern Wesleyan dropped game one in a 5-3 final score. They then fell in the second game in a 16-5 final score.
Southern Wesleyan picked up seven hits in game one on Saturday. Both
Marty Grisso and
Cam Mitchem doubled. Three Warriors picked up RBIs.
Marcerio Allen was the lone Warrior to walk and
TJ Highsmith had the lone stolen base.
Cord Babcock started in game one of the afternoon and pitched four innings while striking out four batters. Four other Warriors came in to pitch in relief.
The Warriors picked up three hits off the bats of
Travis Hammond,
Josh Long and
Marty Grisso in game two of the afternoon. Grisso picked up his second double of the day. Grisso led the team with two of the three RBIs. The other RBI came from Long. Southern Wesleyan walked six times and
Tyler Jackson had the lone stolen base.
Clifton Olmstead started game three of the series and pitched 1.1 innings while striking out one batter. Five Warriors came in to pitch in relief. Both
George Schodowski and
Aidan Evans led the team with three strikeouts.
Game Vitals
Final Game One: Belmont Abbey 5, Southern Wesleyan 3
Final Game Two: Belmont Abbey 16, Southern Wesleyan 5
Records: Southern Wesleyan (7-11 / CC 3-3) Belmont Abbey (14-5 / CC 4-5)
How It Happened
Game One
Belmont Abbey struck first in the bottom of the third inning. A single by Powell and a hit by pitch allowed two runs to come in to score.
The Warriors challenged in the top of the first inning. With one out,
Chance Fogel singled. Fogel advanced to third as
TJ Highsmith hit a single down the right field line. Highsmith then stole second base to put both runners in scoring position. A ground out by
Josh Long allowed Fogel to cross home plate and advanced Highsmith to third.
Marty Grisso doubled to left center field to bring Highsmith home. A double to left field by
Cam Mitchem allowed Grisso to score and put the Warriors ahead 3-2.
However, the Crusaders put up three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to win game one in a 5-3 final score.
Game Two
The Crusaders attacked quickly in the bottom of the first inning as they plated three runs. They extended their lead with runs in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth innings.
Southern Wesleyan challenged in the top of the ninth inning. With one out, the Crusaders walked
Dawson Gilstrap,
Travis Hammond and
Blayze Haddock to load up the bases. With the bases loaded,
Josh Long singled to right field to bring Gilstrap in to score and keep the bases loaded. Back-to-back wild pitches allowed both Hammond and Haddock to come in to score.
Cam Mitchem walked to put him on first and Long on second. A wild pitch advanced both Mitchem and Long ninety feet.
Marty Grisso doubled down the left field line to bring both Mitchem and Long across home plate. However, the Warriors fell in game three in a 16-5 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan 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.
