Belmont Abbey, Mount Olive One Win From Super Regional
NEWBERRY/TIGERVILLE, S.C. - On day two of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regionals, three-seed Belmont Abbey and No. 4 seed Mount Olive each brought themselves one win away from advancing to the Super Regional.
The day started in Newberry where Belmont Abbey began its regional journey with a 15-13 win over No. 6 seed Columbus State. The Crusaders scored nine runs in the first two innings and led 12-7 after four. The Cougars scored in the sixth and seventh innings to cut the lead to three before Belmont Abbey added a run in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Crusaders withstood a four-run ninth inning to come away with the win. Garrett Browder led the Crusaders’ 19-hit attack as he went 4-for-4 with six RBIs and two runs scored with a double and a triple. Five different players had at least two hits for The Abbey and Drew Stegura (5-0) earned the win as he allowed two runs on three hits with four walks and one strikeout in 3.2 innings of relief while Ethan Wilson earned his second save as he allowed one hit in his lone inning of relief.
Columbus State was then eliminated by No. 7 UNC Pembroke, 12-3. The Braves scored three runs in the first, saw CSU tie the score with two runs in the fifth, but put the game away with five runs in the sixth and four in the seventh to remain alive. Christian Jayne, who finished 2-for-5 with four RBIs and one run scored, broke the game open in the sixth with a three-run home run as all nine starters had a hit for UNCP in a 16-hit performance. Five Braves pitchers combined to strike out 10 Cougars and allow three runs on five hits as Chase Jernigan (3-1) earned the win. He allowed one hit with one walk and two strikeouts in 2.2 shutout innings of relief.
In the nightcap in Newberry, the region's No. 2 seed and host Newberry fell to Belmont Abbey, 11-6. The offense, which tallied nine hits, again carried the Crusaders. Caleb Burr and Todd Velotta each had a three-run home run while Ben Ferguson and Jack Boyles each had two hits, scored once and drove in a run in the win. Grant Lohmeier improved to 7-0 as he allowed five runs, three earned, on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 5.2 innings. Ethan Wilson (3) earned the save as he allowed just one hit in 2.1 innings of relief.
In the first game of a best-of-three series between Mount Olive and top-seed North Greenville in Tigerville, it was the Trojans who took the win on Friday night, 13-7. The game featured six home runs and three doubles and North Greenville outhit Mount Olive 12-10 in the contest, but a five run first, and four runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings propelled the Trojans to the win. Dawson Gause was the difference maker for Mount Olive as he improved to 5-2 with five innings of relief. He allowed one run on four hits with six strikeouts. Jack Casbarro and Landon Choboy blasted back-to-back home runs in the first inning and finished a combined 3-for-7 with five runs scored and three RBIs in the win. John Michael Faile, David Lewis (twice) and Cory Bivins each went deep for North Greenville in the loss.
On Saturday, North Greenville and Mount Olive will play at 2 p.m. with an if necessary game to begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. In Newberry, UNC Pembroke faces Newberry in an elimination game at 3:30 p.m. with the winner facing Belmont Abbey at 7 p.m. The if necessary game would be played on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Southeast Regional No. 1 (Tigerville, S.C.)
Regional Website
Thursday, May 18
Game 1: No. 4 Mount Olive def. No. 5 Georgia Southwestern, 5-4 (Box Score)
Game 2: No. 1 North Greenville def. No. 5 Georgia Southwestern, 6-5 (Box Score)
Friday, May 19
Game 3: No. 4 Mount Olive def. No. 1 North Greenville, 13-7 (Box Score)
Saturday, May 20
Game 4: No. 1 North Greenville vs. No. 4 Mount Olive, 2 p.m.
Game 5: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 4, 30 minutes after game 4 (If Necessary)
Southeast Regional No. 2 (Newberry, S.C.)
Regional Website
Thursday, May 18
Game 1: No. 2 Newberry vs. No. 7 UNC Pembroke, 12-3 (
Box Score)
Friday, May 19
Game 2: No. 3 Belmont Abbey def. No. 6 Columbus State, 15-13 (Box Score)
Game 3: No. 7 UNC Pembroke def. No. 6 Columbus State, 12-3 (Box Score)
Game 4: No. 3 Belmont Abbey def. No. 2 Newberry, 11-6 (Box Score)
Saturday, May 20
Game 5: No. 7 UNC Pembroke vs. No. 2 Newberry, 3:30 p.m.
Game 6: No. 3 Belmont Abbey vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 21
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 3:30 p.m. (If Necessary)