BELMONT, N.C. – The Emory & Henry College Baseball Team (5-25) could not hold on to an early lead, as the Wasps fell to Belmont Abbey College (16-13) in non-conference play Tuesday evening. The Crusaders took the win by a 12-5 final.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Belmont Abbey 12, Emory & Henry 5
LOCATION – Belmont, North Carolina
VENUE – Abbey Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-25, 2-16 SAC); Belmont Abbey (16-13, 11-7 Carolinas)
How It Happened
The Crusaders were on the board first in the opening inning as they scored one run on a pair of hits and an error to take the early 1-0 lead. E&H answered in the top of the third. Senior outfielder Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) and freshman shortstop Anthony Umbach (Harrisburg, N.C.) led off with back-to-back base hits and Foley scored on an RBI groundout by senior designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) to tie things up at 1-1. Umbach scampered home on a wild pitch two batters later and the Wasps jumped ahead 2-1.
E&H tallied another run in the top of the fourth. Freshman catcher Nick Morris (Mint Hill, N.C.) led off with a double and moved up to third on a single from junior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.). Fifth-year second baseman Noah Mazza (Plainfield, Ill.) delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Morris and give the Wasps a 3-1 lead. Belmont Abbey responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer by Carter DuHaime to knot the score back up at 3-3.
The Abbey took control through the middle innings as the Crusaders scored three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh for a 9-3 advantage. E&H loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with no outs, but could only push across one run on a double play to reduce the deficit to 9-4. BAC tacked on three more in the bottom of the eighth and the Wasps scored one in the top of the ninth for a 12-5 final score.
Brendan Simons earned the win for the Crusaders, allowing one run on two hits over two innings on the mound. Redshirt freshman Drew Lanzo (Indian Trail, N.C.) took the loss for E&H after scattering six runs on seven hits while striking out a pair of batters. Five different players recorded a hit for Emory & Henry with Howell and Mazza recording an RBI each.
Up Next
The Wasps return to South Atlantic Conference play on Friday, March 29 when they make the short trip to take on Southwest Virginia rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from Burchell Stallard Field.
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