by Cory Guinn
WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College men's tennis team defeated EBelmont Abbey College College 6-3 on Saturday afternoon for its fourth straight win and third victory in Conference Carolinas play.
Barton (5-4, 3-0) won two of the three doubles matches for an early 2-1 lead. Senior Rafael Ruiz Velasco and freshman Jesus Gil earned an 8-4 victory at No. 1 doubles, while seniors Nick Genest and Daniel Radu picked up an 8-2 win in the No. 3 slot.
Junior Yaxi Pintado won his fourth straight match at No. 5 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 decision over Belmont Abbey's Laine Harrett, while Radu also earned his fourth straight win with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph at No. 6 singles.
Genest's 7-5, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles gave Barton its fifth point to seal the match win, as Ruiz Velasco picked up his third consecutive win with a 7-6,7-6 victory in the No. 2 position. Belmont Abbey gained two points with victories at No. 1 and No. 4 singles.
Barton hosts West Virginia Wesleyan in a non-conference match on Monday, February 29 at 3 p.m. in Wilson.
BARTON 6, BELMONT ABBEY 3
Singles:
1. Juan Baez (BAC) def. Jake McCartney (BARTON) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3
2. Rafael Ruiz Velasco (BARTON) def. James Delaney (BAC) 7-6, 7-6
3. Nick Genest (BARTON) def. Grant Goldin (BAC) 7-5, 6-0
4. Young-Jin Kang (BAC) def. Jesus Gil (BARTON) 6-1, 7-5
5. Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) def. Laine Harrett (BAC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Daniel Radu (BARTON) def. Eduardo Escobar (BAC) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles:
1. Rafael Ruiz Velasco/Jesus Gil (BARTON) def. Juan Baez/James Delaney (BAC) 8-4
2. Grant Goldin/Young-Jin Kang (BAC) def. Jake McCartney/Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) 8-5
3. Nick Genest/Daniel Radu (BARTON) def. Laine Harrett/Michael Rapsik (BAC) 8-2
Records:
Belmont Abbey 2-6, 0-3 CC
Barton 5-4, 3-0 CC
