Tigerville, S.C.—North Greenville scored 8, and held off a furious Young Harris rally in the 9^th inning to score an 8-7 win over the Mountain Lions Tuesday afternoon at Ashmore Field. The Crusaders improved to 22-11 on the season with the win on Tuesday.

Andrew Lawrence pitched his way to a win Tuesday after surrendering just 2 runs in 6 complete innings. Lawrence struck out 5 batters and allowed just 1 free pass.

The Crusaders took an early 1 run lead in the first inning on Adam Taylor’s RBI scoring Markus Duckworth who led the inning off with a single. In the 5^th, the Crusaders surged to a 6 run lead after scoring 5 runs on 6 hits. Frank Polino’s 2^nd homerun of the season gave the Crusaders a 3-0 lead while Adam Taylor’s 2^nd RBI extended the lead to 4. Derek Fulmer’s team leading 35^th RBI gave NGU a comfortable 6-0 lead.

NGU added what would prove to be crucial runs in the 6^th and 7^th innings. Andrew Lawrence helped his own cause scoring the Crusaders’ only run in the 6^th on a throwing error by Young Harris and Allen Staton scored Adam Taylor in the 7^th to give NGU an 8-3 lead.

Entering the 9^th inning, the Crusaders held a comfortable 8-3 lead, but Young Harris battled back so pull to with 1 run. The Lions scored 4 runs in the top half of the 9^th, on just one hit, a 3 run homerun that made the score 8-7. Derek Fulmer ended the threat though striking out the 7^th Young Harris batter of the game.

Young Harris was NGU’s final tune-up before a three game series with Belmont Abbey. The winner of the series will take sole possession of first place in the west division of Conference Carolinas. The Crusaders are 11-4 in conference play while the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey are 13-5.

First pitch between the two clubs is scheduled for 2pm, Friday afternoon in Tigerville.