BELMONT, N.C. - The Anderson University baseball team dropped a 5-3 non-conference decision to Belmont Abbey Tuesday afternoon at Abbey Yard.

With the win, Belmont Abbey improved to 16-7 on the season, while Anderson slipped to 6-15

Anderson jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second frame as junior Erick Sanderson singled with one out and Tony Price came through with a two-out double down the left field line to bring home Sanderson.

The Crusaders countered with four runs in the third to claim a lead they would not relinquish. Dakota Irwin led off with a single and moved to third when Trojan hurler JT Trujillo's pickoff attempt was wide and went into right field. The Abbey's Caleb Shore followed with a groundout to shortstop that scored Irwin and Belmont Abbey went on to add three additional runs with two outs on the scoreboard on the strength of four hits and a walk, claiming a 4-1 advantage.

The Abbey added to its advantage in the bottom of the fourth when Irwin led off with his first career home run.

The Trojans rallied with two outs in the top of the seventh to plate two runs and cut the Crusaders' advantage to 5-3. Senior Ryan Kirkland was hit with a pitch to spark the rally and senior Thomas Padro doubled - his second hit of the game - to put runners on second and third. Left-fielder Josh Hickman singled to left field to bring in both Kirkland and Padro to pull AU within two.

Anderson would get no closer however as Belmont Abbey's James White and Pagan combined for two and a third scoreless innings to close out the game.
Padro finished the afternoon 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored, while Hickman notched the two RBI. Trujillo (1-3) took the loss after going five innings and allowing five runs.

Irwin went 2-2 at the plate for the Crusaders with a home run, two runs scored, a walk, and an RBI. Paul Stelling picked up the win going four innings and allowing one run while striking out seven. Pagan picked up the save, his sixth, pitching an inning and two-thirds while striking out two.

Anderson returns to Memorial Stadium for a Wednesday afternoon matchup versus Limestone College. First-pitch is slated for 3 p.m.