Gastonia, NC -The Emmanuel Baseball team continued play in the Conference Carolinas Championship today with a matchup against Belmont Abbey for a spot in tomorrow's title game. The Crusaders took an early 2-0 lead, holding the Lions off at the end to win 3-1. With the loss, the Lions end the season with a 29-26 overall record.

The Crusaders took the lead in the bottom of the 2^nd, scoring 2 runs on 2 hits to make it 2-0. 

The Lions responded in the top of the 6^th. Jesus Cruz was hit by a pitch to get on base and Brock Wollin followed that up with a double to left field. A sacrifice fly by Landon Mokris scored Cruz to cut the Crusaders lead to 2-1. The Crusaders answered in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a run on 2 hits to make it 3-1, Belmont Abbey. 

The Lions threatened in the top of the 7^th, collecting 3 hits and leaving 2 runners on base, with no runs crossing. 

The score stayed the same the rest of the way and the Crusaders earned the 3-1 victory to move on to tomorrow's title game. 

At the plate, Wollin, Zachary Bergstrom, Dee Oliver and Dobbs Bowden collected a hit. 

On the mound, Hunter Pirkle got the start, going 7.1 innings. He gave up 3 runs on 10 hits and struck out 4 batters. Zach Evans finished out the game for the Lions, facing the final two batters and striking out one. 

Congratulations, Lions on an incredible tournament run! 

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.