GAME 1 | Belmont Abbey 10, Fayetteville State 8
FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Â Fayetteville State's seventh-inning comeback falls short in 10-8 loss to Belmont Abbey.
Junior BreAnna Steele (1-3) started and took the loss in the circle for Fayetteville State (3-9 overall). Senior Braynka Brown was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going three innings, surrendering four runs, zero earned, on four hits, walking three and striking out one.
Senior Tanika Powell led the way offensively for the Broncos, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with two doubles, a walk and an RBI. Freshman Angelica Locklear compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a walk and three RBI. Freshman Treja Patterson also contributed, going 2-for-4 for Fayetteville State with an RBI.
Belmont Abbey (4-7 overall) was led offensively by freshman Jordan Stefani, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Broncos got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Fayetteville State managed to push across two runs in the inning.
The Crusaders then rallied to score six runs and take a 6-2 lead before the Broncos got back on the board in the fifth. Fayetteville State scored three times, picking up one on an RBI base knock off the bat of Powell, which tightened the Crusaders lead to 6-5.
Belmont Abbey built their lead to 10-5 before the Fayetteville State offense got back in action, reducing that lead to 10-8 in the seventh. The Broncos added three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run single off the bat of Locklear. The Broncos were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Powell led the Broncos, compiling three base knocks in the ballgame.
» Fayetteville State's power output was led by Powell, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Fayetteville State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across.
» Fayetteville State went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Fayetteville State pitchers faced 38 Belmont Abbey hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» Powell led the Broncos at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
