Belhaven University Athletics

Thomas Royals is set to be inducted into the Belhaven Athletics Hall of Fame one week from Saturday after his accomplishments on the diamond for the storied Belhaven Baseball program. Royals, a two-way player during his time with the Blazers, set records as both a hitter and pitcher while donning the Green and Gold.

In both of his campaigns for Belhaven after joining the program from Pearl River Community College, Royals was named the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (NAIA) Player of the Year while helping lead the program to the GCAC Regular Season Championship in both 2006 and 2007 as well as a NAIA Regional appearance in 2006.

Along with his conference Player of the Year accolades, Royals was also twice named to the NAIA All-America Honorable Mention list and was a finalist for the prestigious Boo Ferriss Trophy presented to the Mississippi Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. Royals' is one of only four Blazers to have ever been named a finalist for the award. 

Royals is still among the record holders and career leaders in numerous statistical categories, over 15 years on from his Belhaven playing career. Royals' .401 career batting average ranks 5th all-time while he also ranks 2nd in single-season hits (91) and doubles (25). On the mound, Royals racked up the 2nd most shutouts in a single season with three while also sitting 2nd in single-season ERA at 1.98.