by Kevin Buczek
BELMONT, N.C.-Barton College's top four players all won in singles and doubles contests to lead the Bulldogs to a 6-1 Conference Carolinas men's tennis victory over host Belmont Abbey College on Sunday afternoon at Sacred Heart Courts.
The Bulldogs third consecutive win moves Barton over .500 for the first time this season at 3-2 overall. BC also retained a perfect league record of 2-0. The Crusaders dipped to 1-6 and 0-2.
Sophomore Max Leppert won atop the Bulldogs lineup to highlight play. Leppert teamed up with freshman Rafael Ruiz Velsaco for a dramatic 9-7 win. Leppert (3-2) then knocked off Conner McMann – a Third Team All-Conference honoree in 2012 – with a gutsy 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 singles conquest.
Velasco, who is the reigning league Player of the Week, moved to 5-0 in his rookie campaign with a 6-2, 6-3 singles victory at the second singles position in BC's lineup.
Sophomore Jorge Pradilla and freshman Nick Genest produced the Bulldogs other three points. Pradilla-Genest won 8-3 in doubles as Barton held a 2-1 lead going into singles play. Pradilla (3-2) held on for a lengthy 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 win at No. 3 and Genest (3-1) supplied a 6-2, 6-2 triumph at No. 4.
Freshmen Daniel Radu and Mihnea Tomas played unfinished matches at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. Play was stopped after Barton clinched the team victory due to darkness.
Barton will try for a fourth consecutive win on Friday when the Bulldogs entertain league foe Erskine College at 2 p.m.
