by Cory Guinn
BELMONT, N.C. – The Barton men's tennis team suffered its second straight loss in Conference Carolinas play as the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College claimed a 5-4 win on Tuesday at the Reidy Tennis Center.
Barton took an early lead in the match with doubles' victories at No. 2 and No. 3. The senior duo of Jake McCartney and Yaxi Pintado earned an 8-3 win for Barton's first point before Belmont Abbey tied the match with a win at No. 1. However, the freshman tandem of Ermanno Galimberti and Rory Gaydon put BC back in front with an 8-6 victory.
McCartney began singles play with a dominating 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 1, before freshman Julian Bosch gained the team's fourth point with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2.
The Crusaders picked up wins at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5, leaving the match tied at 4-all with the No. 6 singles match left to be decided.
BAC took the first set 4-6 before freshman Alexandre Alves rallied to win the second 7-5, forcing a tiebreak. However, Alves was forced to retire due to sickness despite being ahead 5-3, giving the Crusaders the one-point win.
Barton continues league play when it hosts King (Tenn.) University and Lees-McRae College this weekend in Wilson.
Belmont Abbey 5, Barton 4
Singles:
1. Jake McCartney (BARTON) def. Juan Baez (BAC-M) 6-2, 6-1
2. Julian Bosch (BARTON) def. Grant Goldin (BAC-M) 6-3, 6-4
3. James Delaney (BAC-M) def. Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) 7-5, 6-1
4. George Barfoot (BAC-M) def. Ermanno Galimberti (BARTON) 6-4, 6-1
5. Zachary Blythe (BAC-M) def. Jesus Gil (BARTON) 6-3, 6-3
6. Carlos Nolasco (BAC-M) def. Alexandre Alves (BARTON) 4-6, 7-5, 3-0
Doubles:
1. George Barfoot/James Delaney (BAC-M) def. Julian Bosch/Jesus Gil (BARTON) 8-6
2. Jake McCartney/Yaxi Pintado (BARTON) def. Zachary Blythe/Grant Goldin (BAC-M) 8-3
3. Ermanno Galimberti/Rory Gaydon (BARTON) def. Jacob Andress/Michael Rapsik (BAC-M) 8-6
Records:
Barton College 9-5, 5-2
Belmont Abbey College 15-9, 6-0
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,2,3,5,4,6)
