FLORENCE, S.C. -- Ferrum College defeated Belmont Abbey College in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Developmental Baseball Championship Monday, April 13, winning a 15-inning marathon thriller 9-5 at Francis Marion University's Cormell Field..

THE BASICS
Ferrum struck first in the opening inning, taking a 1–0 lead on an RBI walk by Elijah Silver. The Panthers added two more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Eli Elliott and a run-scoring groundout by Silver to extend the lead to 3–0.

Belmont Abbey chipped away late, scoring once in the seventh inning before tying the game in the ninth on a sacrifice fly and a Ferrum throwing error, sending the contest into extra innings tied 3–3.

Both teams remained locked in a scoreless battle until the 15th inning, when Ferrum broke through in a big way. Kristian Barcroft delivered an RBI single to give Ferrum the lead, and a Belmont Abbey error allowed another run to score. Grady White added an RBI walk before Silver delivered a two-run ground-rule double to cap a six-run inning and extend the lead to 9–3.

The Crusaders scored twice in the bottom of the 15th inning, but Ferrum reliever Anderson Rider closed out the game to secure the championship victory.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Elliott 3–8, RBI; Barcroft 3–5, RBI; Silver 1–6, 2B, 4 RBI; Blasco 1–6, 3 R; Rider (W, 1–0)
Belmont Abbey: Burgess 2–5; Matthews 2–7; Lerch 2–6; Grim 2–6, RBI; Gutmann 1–7, RBI

COACH WOOLWINE
"I am ecstatic and so proud of what this team accomplished our first year in Conference Carolinas," said Ferrum Assistant Baseball Coach and Head Developmental Coach Jacob Woolwine. "This championship title is a testament to their relentless work ethic, passion for the game, and refusing to give in no matter how long it takes to win. The championship game versus Belmont Abbey (15 inning thriller) was one of the best games I've ever been a part of, and is something the players will always remember."