Belmont, NC---The 20^th ranked Erskine baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning and held Belmont Abbey scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to take a 10-9 victory in the conference opener for both teams.

 

Erskine took the early lead, when Chas Anthony hit a three run home run in the top of the first inning.  The Crusaders would make it a one run game in the third with a RBI single from Chris Vasquez and a RBI double from Josh Frazier.  Erskine would lead 7-4 going into the bottom of the eighth, but the Crusaders would score five runs with two outs to take a 9-7 lead going into the final inning.  Belmont closer Jordan Cudney came into the game and retired the first two Erskine hitters.  Greg Huff would double down the left field line, followed by an infield single from Keith Hill to bring up Bryan Fogle.  Fogle would take the breaking ball from Cudney and hit a shot over the left field wall to give the Fleet the 10-9 lead.  Junior Russell Reid came in and despite giving up a one out double to Patrick Atwell; he pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save. 

 

Anthony led the Fleet at the plate going 2-5 with a double, home run and three RBIs, while Keith Hill was 2-4 with a run batted in and Greg Hull was 2-5 with a double.  Erick Guest picked up the win pitching one third of an inning of relief.

 

Erskine improves to 7-1 on the season and 1-0 in the conference.  The two teams will conclude their series tomorrow with a double header starting at 12:00 pm.

 

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