Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped the final two games of the series against Belmont Abbey on Saturday in 15-4 and 14-2 final scores.
Southern Wesleyan accumulated 10 hits in the first game of the afternoon. Both Ethan Shimmel and Cole Kirschner had two hits in the game. Shimmel and Luke Taylor each homered in the game, and Tristan Tillman had a double. Shimmel went on to have the lone stolen base of the game for the Warriors. Tanner Lewis started the game on the mound and pitched 1.1 innings while striking out two batters. Matthew White, Gavin Kent and Ash Faulk all came in to pitch in relief. White led the team with three strikeouts.
The Warriors had six hits in the second game of the day. Kade Bowling went 3 for 4 at the plate while Tristan Tillman was right behind him going 2 for 3. Bowling went on to have the lone multi-base hit of the game as he doubled. The Warriors walked five times and both Tillman and Nolan Evatt stole bases. Lukas Arvantides started the game on the mound and pitched four innings while striking out one batter. Caleb Gregory and Coleman Wylie came in to pitch in relief. Both Gregory and Wylie picked up solo strikeouts in the game.
Game Vitals
Final Game One: Belmont Abbey 15, Southern Wesleyan 4
Final Game Two: Belmont Abbey 14, Southern Wesleyan 2
Record: Southern Wesleyan (14-29 / CC 8-19) Belmont Abbey (31-9 / CC 22-5)
How It Happened
Game One
Southern Wesleyan went on the offensive early in the first game of the Saturday doubleheader. Tristan Tillman led off the inning by sending the ball to left center field for a double. As Nolan Evatt ground out to second, Tillman advanced to third. Ethan Shimmel then hit the ball up the middle for a single to bring Tillman in to score.
However, the Crusaders answered in the top of the second inning as singles by Jack Boyles and Matthew Fattore gave Belmont Abbey a 4-1 run lead.
Belmont Abbey continued to extend on their lead as Michael Fattore kicked off the third inning with a solo home run.
The Warriors challenged in the bottom of the third inning. Matthew McCaffrey led off by sending the ball through the right side for a single. However, with one out, Nolan Evatt hit into a fielder's choice that took McCaffrey off the bases. Ethan Shimmel came up to the plate and sent the ball deep over the left field fence for a two run home run to put the Warriors behind the Crusaders 5-3.
Luke Taylor kicked off the fourth inning for the Warriors as he drilled the ball deep over the right field fence for a solo home run.
The Crusaders would not relent as a series of hits allowed them to bring 10 runs in to score to win the game in a 15-4 final.
Game Two
The Crusaders were first on the board as a sacrifice fly by Jacob Steinberg and a single by Michael Fattore allowed two runners to come in to score.
Southern Wesleyan answered in the bottom of the first inning. Tristan Tillman led off the inning by hitting a single to center field. A failed pick off attempt allowed Tillman to advance to second, but the Crusaders were able to throw him out as he tried to advance to third. Nolan Evatt followed by taking a ten pitch walk. As Ethan Shimmel struck out swinging, a wild pitch on the throw allowed Evatt to advance to second. Evatt then stole third base to get into scoring position. Cole Kirschner walked to put two on and bring Kade Bowling up to bat. Bowling hit the ball up the middle for a single to allow Evatt to come in to score.
Belmont Abbey would not relent as they scored in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
The Warriors plated another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kade Bowling hit a single to left center field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Perry Dyer and Samuel Simonds each walked to load up the bases for Beau Berge. Berge sent the ball to center field for a sacrifice fly that allowed Bowling to come in to score.
The Crusaders were not done as a single by Jacob Steinberge allowed Evan Macintyre to come in to score. However, Coleman Wylie got the next two batters out to prevent Belmont Abbey from extending their lead any further.
Belmont Abbey would not relent as they plated more runs in the eighth and ninth inning to take the game in a 14-2 final.
What's Next
The Warriors will then travel to Wilson, NC to take on the Barton Bulldogs on April 17-18. They will then host the Anderson Trojans on April 21 at 5pm. Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the regular season at home on April 24-25 as they host the Shorter Hawks.
