BELMONT, NC - The Belmont Abbey Crusaders honored two seniors at Crusaders Field on Saturday and the seniors sent the faithful home happy, sweeping a doubleheader against Montreat (7-39) by scores of 9-1 and 6-0. The wins will send the Crusaders into the Conference Carolinas tournament in Burlington with an overall record of 19-27.
Samantha Jacobs and Jena Reisenauer were honored before the game for their years representing the Abbey. Jacobs would be seeking her 27th career win inside the circle against the Cavaliers. Reisenauer would look to continue her sensational year at the plate for the Crusaders.
The Crusaders offense would give Jacobs an early edge, scoring three times in the first inning. Brooke Pegram would single, steal second, and eventually score on a ground ball from Mackenzie Dziendziel. Reisenauer would walk to extend the frame, followed by a pair of hits by Lauren Clifford and Alex Pearsall. Reisenauer would score on the Pearsall single, followed by Clifford plating to conclude the rally.
Jacobs, the senior from Salisbury, would stifle the Cavs, allowing just three hits in 5.1 innings. Alyssa Buell would come on to relieve Jacobs, as Jacobs departed the circle for the final time at Crusaders Field to considerable applause and hugs from all in the dugout.
In the bottom of the sixth, with the Abbey leading 3-1, the club would plate six runs to end the game early, as six consecutive hits would be capped by Anna Mixa's two run clout beyond the right field wall.
In game two, Reisenauer would enter the circle for her first start of the year. Reisenauer would go 5.1 innings in the contest, exiting for Amelia Saldivar. On the day, Reisenauer would scatter four hits while striking out three. The senior from Kernersville would also collect a pair of hits in game one, her last hits at Crusaders Field.
The offense for the Abbey provided adequate firepower in the finale, as Brooke Pegram would open the game with a single and a steal for the second time on the day. She would score after being involved in a rundown that forced an errant throw from the Cavaliers.
In the fourth, the Abbey sent nine batters to the plate, scoring four runs in the frame. Alex Pearsall would highlight the inning on a steal of home to put the Crusaders on top 4-0.
A run scoring single in the sixth from Sloane McPeak would score Alyssa Sciaudone, for the final margin of the nightcap.
The Crusaders will set their sights on Burlington, as they begin the Conference Carolinas tournament this Thursday. Stay tuned to www.abbeyathletics.com for more information about Crusaders softball.