Bristol, Tenn. – King University baseball opened its Conference Carolinas weekend series on Friday afternoon, falling 6–4 to Belmont Abbey at the King Baseball Field. The Tornado (10–17) matched the Crusaders (19–8) with 10 hits and rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning, but Belmont Abbey used timely hitting and strong bullpen work to secure the win.
Belmont Abbey scored in six different innings, while King's biggest push came in a three-run sixth that briefly evened the contest at 4–4 before the Crusaders regained control late.
Early Back-and-Forth
Belmont Abbey struck first in the second inning, scoring on a wild pitch to take a 1–0 lead. King answered in the bottom half when Jose Ruiz doubled to right-center, scoring Kenny Hirschfeld to tie the game 1–1.
The Crusaders reclaimed the lead in the third on an RBI groundout, then extended it to 3–1 in the fifth with a run-scoring infield single.
Tornado Rally in the Sixth
Belmont Abbey added a solo home run in the sixth to make it 4–1, but King responded with its strongest inning of the day.
Tommy Regan scored on a groundout by Jacob Eargle, cutting the deficit to 4–2. Moments later, Ruiz delivered again—this time ripping a two-run double down the left-field line to score Hirschfeld and Adrian Vidal, tying the game 4–4 and energizing the home crowd.
Ruiz finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBI and two doubles.
Crusaders Pull Away Late
Belmont Abbey regained the lead in the seventh on an RBI groundout, then added insurance in the ninth with a solo home run from Joe Whitaker to make it 6–4.
King put runners on base in the late innings but could not break through against the Crusaders' bullpen. Belmont Abbey reliever Ethan Yarbrough earned the win, while Wyatt Clarke recorded the save.
Offensive Leaders – King University
Pitching Notes
Ben Hale delivered a steady 6.0-inning start, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out three. Aidan Ricker, Kade Pomeroy, Dylan Willis, Colin Goldsmith, and Jonathan Webster all appeared in relief.
Up Next
The Tornado continue their Conference Carolinas series against Belmont Abbey on Saturday, March 21, hosting a doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the King Baseball Field.
