DUNCAN, S.C. – The Lees-McRae softball fell in the opening round of the 2024 Conference Carolinas Softball Championship to Belmont Abbey, 4-1, in nine innings on Thursday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 1; Belmont Abbey – 4
LOCATION: Tyger River Field – Duncan, South Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (18-23/13-11), Belmont Abbey (22-18/13-11)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Belmont Abbey got on the board first via an error from the Bobcats in the infield.
- Lonna Addison held the Crusaders for five innings after surrendering the lone run in the second frame.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Lees-McRae was able to manufacture support for Addison. Morgan Crowe led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a bunt single from Taylor Beurrier.
- Lauren Ritchie loaded the bases after reaching a fielding error by Belmont Abbey's shortstop. Jenna Bullard drove in Beurrier on a fielder's choice to the outfield to tie the contest at one run.
- The two sides headed to extra innings tied at one run apiece. Belmont Abbey advanced the go-ahead run to third base on a wild pitch, but Addison sat down the order to keep the game tied.
- Beurrier moved Hannah Foster over to third base on a sacrifice bunt, but Belmont Abbey got the third out of the inning and moved the game into the ninth frame.
- The Crusaders scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single from Mackenzie Allison and made the game 4-1 off a two-run home run from Bailey Presley. Lees-McRae was unable to score in its home half of the ninth and fell 4-1.
- Addison tallied her 11th game of the season with 10 or more strikeouts as she struck out 12 Crusaders on the day. Addison pitched nine full innings while surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits.
- Foster led the Bobcats at the plate with two hits and one walk. Beurrier and Crowe each had a hit and Bullard collected the lone RBI.
FOR THE CRUSADERS:
- Belmont Abbey will now face No. 3 Mount Olive this evening at 7 p.m. in the 2024 Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament.
- Adison Yoder collected the victory in the circle for the Crusaders after throwing three and two-thirds innings of relief.
- Presley and Hallie Mele paced the Crusaders with two hits apiece and Presley had two RBIs in the win.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae finishes 2024 with an overall record of 18-23 and 13-11 in Conference Carolinas contests.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
