Belmont, N.C.----The Belmont Abbey Crusaders scored three times in the bottom of the ninth, overcoming a two-run deficit to notch a 7-6 win over the Bulldogs of Wingate University in NCAA Division II baseball action Wednesday afternoon. The Crusaders improve to 21-6 overall, while Wingate falls to 19-11 on the season.
Senior infielder Chris Vazquez (Miami, Fla.) and junior outfielder Justin Vasquez (Palm City, Fla.) combined to go eight-for-10 with two runs scored to lead the Belmont Abbey offense. Junior infielder Joey Frabasile (Hartsdale, N.Y.) had an RBI and a run scored for the Crusaders.
Senior catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C.) had a homer and three RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) had two doubles and two RBI for the Bulldogs, while freshman infielder Cody Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) was three-for-four with a run scored.
Wingate got on the board early, scoring in the first when McPherson doubled, then scored on an RBI double from redshirt sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.).
The Crusaders scored twice in the third to take the lead. The first run scored on a passed ball, while an RBI groundout put Belmont Abbey on top 2-1.
The Bulldogs answered with two runs in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead on a two-run double from McPherson. Honeycutt blasted his sixth homer of the year, a three-run shot in the fourth to give Wingate a 6-2 lead.
Belmont Abbey cut into the lead in the sixth via an RBI double from senior outfielder Tim Dye (Clermont, Fla.). The Crusaders cut the lead to two in the eighth on an RBI single from sophomore infielder Matt Mazzolla (Bloomfield, N.J.).
Wingate had a 6-4 lead entering the bottom of the ninth. Junior infielder Josh Frazier (Lowell, N.C.) reached on a walk, then scored on an error to cut the lead to one. A sacrifice fly from Frabasile tied the game at six. Back-to-back singles from the Crusaders, followed by a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Junior pinch-hitter Danny Brion (Virginia Beach, Va.) drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the winning run.
Senior right-hander Jordan Cudney (Charlotte, N.C.) got the win, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out three. Redshirt sophomore right-hander Josh Karr (Richmond, Va.) took the loss, falling to 1-1 on the year. He allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Wingate got another solid start from freshman right-hander Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.), who allowed one earned run on six hits in six innings of work.
The Bulldogs return to action Friday, hosting Newberry College at 6 p.m. The two teams meet again Saturday for a doubleheader, with game one starting at 1 p.m.
