Hickory, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey Baseball Team (17-3-1) ran its winning streak to 13 games with a 8-6 triumph over Lenoir-Rhyne (15-5) Tuesday evening at Bears Field.

The Crusaders' Nick Nunziato (South Setauket, N.Y.) hit two home runs, including a three-run home run in the first inning, and finished with five runs batted in to lead Belmont Abbey to the win.

The Crusaders, who never trailed in the contest, also received a two-run home run from Nunziato in the fifth frame and a two-run home run from Weston Clarke (Gainesville, Fla.) in the seventh inning in the victory.

Belmont Abbey was able to win despite committing four errors and giving up five unearned runs.

Lenoir-Rhyne senior shortstop Matthew De La Rosa (Austin, Texas) drew a bases-loaded walk while senior outfielder Chase Hathcock (Rockwell, N.C.) had a run-scoring hit in the losing effort for the Bears.

Belmont Abbey's Matt Davenport (Charlotte, N.C.) allowed just one earned run in five innings of work to improve to 2-0 on the year while Lenoir-Rhyne freshman Hunter Martin (Stanfield, N.C.) (1-2) suffered the loss.  The Crusaders' Kyle Halbohn (Pawleys Island, S.C.) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his third save of the year.

Lenoir-Rhyne hits the road to take on King in Bristol, Tenn., on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., while Belmont Abbey hosts Pfeiffer in a Conference Carolinas game at 6:00 p.m., on Friday at Abbey Yard.