Belmont, NC – The Warriors challenged the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey on Thursday afternoon, but dropped both games in the double header in 7-2 and 8-3 final scores.
The Warriors collected three hits in the first game of the afternoon. Emma Jo Wolfe, Emmy Copeland and Autumn Barnhardt all picked up hits. Andi Grae Wingate walked, and both Talissa Cannady and Charity Dennis stole bases. Ella Grace Lawton started on the mound for game one. Jaelyn Montfort came in to pitch in relief and struck out one batter.
Southern Wesleyan collected seven hits in game two. Emma Jo Wolfe led the team with two hits. Emmy Copeland doubled and Andi Grae Wingate hit a home run. Wingate led the team with two of the three RBIs. Wolfe had the other RBI. Wolfe started game two and pitched four innings. Autumn Barnhardt came in to pitch in relief.
Game Vitals
Game One Final: Belmont Abbey 7, Southern Wesleyan 2
Game Two Final: Belmont Abbey 8, Southern Wesleyan 3
Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-35 / CC 1-19) Belmont Abbey (13-21 / CC 8-10)
How It Happened
Game One
The Crusaders attacked quickly as Presley hit a two run home run over the right field wall in the bottom of the first inning. A third run came in to score later in the inning to put them ahead 3-0.
The Warriors countered in the top of the third inning. Autumn Barnhardt led off with a single, but was taken off the base pads as Charity Dennis hit into a fielder's choice. Dennis then stole second base to put her in scoring position. With one out, Emma Jo Wolfe singled to center field to allow Dennis to advance to third. Talissa Cannady hit into a fielder's choice that took Wolfe off the base pads, but Dennis came in to score on the play. Cannady then stole second base. A fielding error by the shortstop allowed Johnson to reach and brought Cannady in to score and put the Warriors within one run of the Crusaders.
Belmont Abbey maintained their attacks as they brought two more runs in to score in the bottom of the third inning. They continued to push ahead in the bottom of the sixth inning as Mele hit a two run home run over the left center field wall to win the first game of the afternoon in a 7-2 final score.
Game Two
Southern Wesleyan came out quickly in game two of the afternoon. Emma Jo Wolfe led off with a single through the left side. With two outs and Wolfe at first, Andi Grae Wingate drilled a home run over the left field wall to put the Warriors on top 2-0.
The Crusaders countered in the bottom of the first as a single by Sprinkle allowed Mele to come in and score.
The Warriors attacked the plate again in the top of the second inning. With two outs, Kori Rominger singled up the middle. Charity Dennis then singled to right center and advanced to second on the throw, allowing Rominger to advance to third base. A single through the left side by Emma Jo Wolfe allowed Rominger to cross home plate and give the Warriors a 3-1 run advantage.
Belmont Abbey fought back in the bottom of the fifth inning as they scored two runs to tie the game up. The Crusaders pushed on as they plated five runs in the sixth inning to win the second game of the series in an 8-3 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return home on April 15 as they host the North Greenville Crusaders on Varsity Field in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. They will remain at home on April 22 as they host their final regular season game and welcome the Converse Valkyires to Central, SC. Senior day festivities will take place during the series.
