BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Lees-McRae softball team made its home debut on Tuesday afternoon in Banner Elk. Belmont Abbey collected the doubleheader sweep with a 6-3 win in game one and 5-4 victory in the second game of the day.
GAME #1 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Belmont Abbey – 6; Lees-McRae – 3
LOCATION: Softball Field – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Belmont Abbey (9-9/1-4), Lees-McRae (8-13/3-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Belmont Abbey scored two runs in the first inning off a two RBI single Foster Sharpe.
- McKenzie Presson cut the deficit to one run after a RBI single to center field that scored Taylor Beurrier.
- The Crusaders answered with three more runs in the third inning after a two-run home run from Mackenzie Allison and a fielding error on the Bobcats.
- Lees-McRae battled back to get within two runs after Presson scored on a throwing error and Destiny Brown touched home plate at 5-3 in favor of Belmont Abbey.
- Belmont Abbey secured the win at 6-3 after collecting an insurance run in the top of the seventh.
- Lonna Addison was dealt the loss after going two innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks. Addison had two strikeouts in the opening game of the day. Logan Zephir came in relief of Addison and pitched well for the Bobcats.
- Zephir went five innings and only allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and struck out three on the day.
- Allie Johnston and Presson had two hits apiece in the contest and Presson had the lone RBI. Beurrier drew two walks in the game.
FOR THE CRUSADERS:
- Jenna Goldey collected the win for Belmont Abbey in the circle after throwing three and a one-thirds of relief and not allowing a run. McKenna Meadors got the start and went three and two-thirds while allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks.
- Allison, Ava Elkins, and Foster Sharpe all had two hits in the contest and Bailey Presley led the way with three RBIs in the win.
GAME #2 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Belmont Abbey – 5; Lees-McRae – 4
LOCATION: Softball Field – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Belmont Abbey (10-9/1-4), Lees-McRae (8-14/3-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Belmont Abbey tallied two runs each in the second and fourth innings of the second game of the day. Presson singled up Beurrier in the bottom of the fourth as Lees-McRae trailed 4-1.
- Shelby Knaak cut the deficit to two runs after a single to center field that scored Beurrier on the play.
- Hallie Mele homered over the center-field wall to give the Crusaders the 5-2 advantage.
- The Bobcats recorded a late-inning rally in the seventh after Hannah Foster singled in Morgan Crowe. Lauren Ritchie continued the rally with a single to left field and Foster advanced into scoring position. Addison hit a two-out single to score Foster as the Bobcats trailed by one run. Belmont Abbey tallied the 5-4 win after striking out Beurrier in the bottom of the seventh.
- Addison went the distance in the circle for Lees-McRae and had seven punchouts while surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks.
FOR THE CRUSADERS:
- Adison Yoder collected the win for Belmont Abbey after allowing four runs (one earned) on 10 hits and three strikeouts.
- Mele and Yoder each had two hits in the second game of the day and two RBIs.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae hosts Conference Carolinas foe Barton in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 23 starting at 1 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
