GAME 2 | Belmont Abbey 6, Fayetteville State 5

BELMONT, N.C. -- The Fayetteville State Broncos got a boost from freshman Xztashya Porter, who totaled three hits in a 6-5 loss to the Belmont Abbey Crusaders Saturday.

Sophomore Hannah Mills (2-1) got the ball to start for Fayetteville State (4-8 overall) and took the loss.

Porter's three-hit day led the Broncos offensively. Junior Laniyah Bethea compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Sophomore Angelica Locklear also chipped in for Fayetteville State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Broncos put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Fayetteville State plated two runs when Bethea left the yard with freshman Aniya Caldwell aboard.

The Broncos lost the lead they built in the second, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 6-2. Fayetteville State scored twice on Locklear's two-run homer, which tightened the Crusaders lead to 6-4.

Fayetteville State held the Crusaders off the board before narrowing the gap to 6-5 in the seventh. The Broncos scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Morgan Jackson. The ballgame ended with that seventh inning rally falling short.

GAME NOTES

» Porter led the Broncos, picking up three base knocks in the ballgame.
» Fayetteville State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Broncos out-hit the Crusaders at an 11-9 clip.
» Fayetteville State went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Fayetteville State pitchers faced 27 Belmont Abbey hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out two.
» Bethea led the Broncos at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Belmont Abbey was led offensively by senior B. Presley, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.
» Senior A. Yoder led the Crusaders pitching staff, throwing seven innings of five-run ball.