Box Score
Jackson, MS-The Belhaven baseball team rallied for a 5-4 win over Bethel University (TN) at Smith-Wills Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The Blazers, ranked 12th in the Preseason NAIA Top 25 Poll, trailed 4-1 through four and a half innings, but came back with two runs in the fifth and two more in the eighth to pull out the win. Catcher Alex Riser came up with what would be the game winning hit in the eighth when he ripped a two run double down the left field line.

Belhaven (8-3) started slow again on Wednesday after losing a tough game Tuesday night to Bethel (5-1). The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead after a half inning as shortstop Craig Massey doubled following a one out single by second baseman Cody Crocker that put runners on second a third. Blazer starting pitcher Brandon McHenry struck out Pilkenton for the second out, but uncorked a wild pitch that brought in Crocker for the game's first run. McHenry avoided further damage by getting Jordan Stack to fly out with the bases loaded to end the frame.

In the bottom of the first, Belhaven answered with an unearned run as second baseman Jordan Brewer reached on a muffed throw by first baseman Jake Ramsey to open the inning. He would later score on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Lake Eiland. The Wildcats then picked up an unearned run of their own in the top of the second off two fielding errors by Eiland. Massey would eventually single in Jay Lowery who had reached on one of those errors. Massey struck again in the fourth when he roped a two out two run triple down the right line to extend the Bethel lead to 4-1.

The Belhaven bats finally began to awaken in the fifth inning when they scratched together a pair of runs to get back in the game. Pitcher Cade Chambers, who had kept the hitters off balance all afternoon, retired the first two batters in the inning before running into some trouble. Left fielder Jimmy Gilford legged out an infield single followed by an RBI double to the right center field gap by Eiland and another run scoring double to left center from Paul Moreno which cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Blazers put the leadoff man aboard in both the sixth and seventh innings, but could not capitalize. However, in the bottom of the eighth Belhaven broke through with the game winning scores. Moreno singled to begin the inning off relief pitcher Jacob Hatchel who would only face one batter in the game. Turner Bush then came in and walked Drew Dillard on a 3-2 pitch, but struck out Tyler Wrinkle for the first out. With runners still on first and second, Riser came through with the clutch two run double down the left field line that plated Moreno and Dillard for the game winning run.

Nick Meekins earned the win in relief and improves to 1-0 on the season as he pitched three scoreless innings to keep the Blazers in the game until the offense could rally. Meekins did not allow a run and gave up just one hit while walking one and striking out one. Josh Clarke earned his second save of the year working a scoreless ninth with a walk and two strikeouts. McHenry started the game and gave up four runs on five hits in five innings of work. He walked one and struck out five opposing hitters.

Moreno led the Belhaven hit parade going 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI while Eiland had two hits including double and two runs batted in. Riser was one for two with the two run double. Gilford, Wrinkle, and Justin Hill each added a single in Wednesday's win. Belhaven had nine total hits as a team with three going for extra bases.

Bush (0-1) suffered the loss for Bethel as he tossed 0.1 innings allowing one run on one hit with two walks and strikeout. Chambers started and gave up three runs on six hits in five innings pitched. Hatchel was charged with the games other run. Massey was 3 for 4 at the plate with three runs batted in to pace Bethel. Massey was 6 for 9 in the series with five RBI's to carry the Bethel offense in both games. Crocker, Lowery, and Hunter DeBerry each had a hit for the Wildcats who were held to six in the game.

Belhaven will be back in action on Friday for game one of a three game series with LSU-Alexandria starting at 4:00 PM. Belhaven will then play a doubleheader against LSUA on Saturday beginning at 1:00 PM. Free Belhaven baseball/softball schedule posters will be handed out during the three game weekend series. Fans that can't make it to the stadium can catch all the play-by-play action of all three games through live audio and stats via Stretch Internet by clicking here.