Late Lions' rally held off by Crusaders
The Mars Hill baseball team (2-11) was defeated by Belmont Abbey (10-3) by a score of 14-9 Tuesday afternoon.
BELMONT, N.C. - The Mars Hill baseball team (2-11) was defeated by Belmont Abbey (10-3) by a score of 14-9 Tuesday afternoon.
The Crusaders led 2-1 entering the third before expanding their lead to seven runs, plating six in the frame. Joey Humphrey scored two in the bottom of the fifth while Ben Ferguson added another two runs in the bottom of the sixth with a double to left center.
Trailing 12-1 in the top of the seventh, Mars Hill plated seven to bring the score to within four. Terick Bumgarner's two-run single was the catalyst for the offensive outburst. Following a Silas Isenhour RBI single, a Tyler Sellers grand slam later in the inning pulled the Lions within four.
In the bottom of the inning, with the bases loaded, two Crusaders were hit, revamping their lead back to six. Jordan Lathe's sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth plated Chapel Matson to score the Lions' final run of the contest.
Jackson Risk led the Crusaders with two hits while five players recorded two RBI apiece.
Lathe led all players with three his while Matson and Alex Naran added two apiece. Sellers led all players with four RBI.
Nic Aehlert was credited with the win, allowing one run on four hits in five innings while striking out six. Jordan Whitaker was struck with the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in 2.1 innings thrown.
The Lions open South Atlantic Conference play on Friday, February 24 when they take on Wingate. The home series, held at Henderson Field, is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch.
