The North Greenville Crusaders have clinched the Conference Carolinas regular season championship by completing a sweep of the Flying Fleet of Erskine College this afternoon in Due West, South Carolina. North Greenville and Young Harris entered the day tied for 1st place in the Conference Carolinas standings. NGU took care of business and won both games of the day while the Mountain Lions fell in both games. The Crusaders narrowly outscored the Flying Fleet in game one with a score of 4-3 while striking in the middle innings in game two to take it with a score of 12-7. North Greenville took an early lead in game one with a run in the 2nd on a wild pitch. Erskine would tie things up with a run in the 4th, and the seven-inning game would require extra innings. However, NGU would come through in the 8th with three runs including a two-run home run by
David Lewis and a solo shot by
Dakota Britt. Erskine put up a fight with two runs in the 8th, but the Crusaders would end things with a double play to secure the win.
Reece Fields was the winning pitcher while
Nate Roof record the save. The Flying Fleet started off game two with a run in the 1st. After two scoreless innings, NGU would get on the board in the 4th with three runs including solo home runs by
David Lewis and
Carter Dierdorf. After the Flying Fleet responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, North Greenville was able to pull away with a six run inning including a three-run home run by
Landon Shaw. Erskine would pull within four with two runs in the bottom of the 6th and score another run in the 8th, but NGU would add two important insurance runs with solo home runs by
Carter Dierdorf and
Bryce Roddey.
Nate Lamb recorded the win as the starting pitcher.
Pat Monteith finished his day with 4 hits including a double as well as 2 runs scored.
David Lewis posted 3 hits, 2 of them home runs as well as 3 runs scored, 3 RBIs, and a walk.
Reece Fields put together a quality start, pitching 7.0 innings with no earned runs allowed. He allowed justy 4 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 3.
North Greenville will return to action in the Conference Carolinas Tournament as the #1 overall seed.
