Box Score
Henderson, TN-The Belhaven baseball team pounded out 17 hits and scored 15 runs taking home a 15-3 win on the road over Freed-Hardeman University Tuesday afternoon. The Blazers, ranked 12th in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, had two seven run innings and batted around in each of those frames leading to their highest scoring game of the season.

Belhaven (12-3) opened the game in the top of the first inning using a sacrifice fly by Lake Eiland to make it a 1-0 contest. Eiland brought home Tyler Wrinkle who led off the inning with a single and went to third on a Jimmy Gilford base hit. Freed-Hardeman tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a run of their own on a sacrifice fly from Evan Mansell and then took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the second on an RBI double by Robert Prieto.

In the third, the Blazers took control of the game scoring seven times to make it 8-2. Gilford scored the first run after Eiland singled to center and then a throwing error by centerfielder Justin Mackey allowed Gilford to come home. Eiland scored on a base hit by Dillard and then Dillon Berry sent home two more on a two out bases loaded singled to right center. Belhaven then loaded the bases again and Gilford, who had single to open the inning, cleared the bases with a double to right center plating the sixth, seventh, and eighth runs.

Freed-Hardeman picked up a run in the fourth to make it 8-3, but then the Blazers put the contest out of reach with seven more runs in the fifth inning. Alex Riser doubled down the left field line to open things up and get the ball rolling. Berry cashed in the first run of the inning with a one out RBI double and then Tyler Wrinkle launched his first home run of the season which was a two run shot that hugged the foul pole down the left field line. With two outs and two runners on, Dillard blasted his first long ball over the year over the left field wall to make it 14-3 and then the final run of the inning came in on an error by Prieto the shortstop. Belhaven kept the Lions off the board the rest of the way logging the 15-3 victory.

Brandon McHenry got the start for Belhaven and pitched five innings allowing three runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. McHenry earned the victory running his record to 1-0 this season. Nick Meekins finished the game firing two innings without allowing a run while surrendering just three hits.

At the plate for the Blazers, Gilford had a perfect afternoon going 3 for 5 including three doubles with three runs batted giving him 12 on the season. Dillard was 2 for 4 with four RBI's with three coming on his first home run of the season. Dillard now has a team best 20 runs driven in this season. Berry had a solid game at third base and at the plate where he drove in three runs on two hits with one of those being his first home run of the season. Eiland had two hits and an RBI while Jordan Brewer picked up two hits in four at bats. Belhaven amassed 17 hits with six doubles and two homers and Dillard and Gilford had stolen bases adding to the team total of 25 this year.

Justin Stout took the loss for Freed-Hardeman as he lasted 2.2 innings allowing seven runs on seven hits as he falls to 0-1 on the mound in 2011.Drew Stofel and Jonathan Soto gave up three runs each and Matt Singleton surrendered two runs Tuesday afternoon. Freed-Hardeman (4-8) was led at the plate by Prieto who had two hits and two runs batted in. Mansell had a hit and the other RBI for the Lions. Joe Mike was the only other Lion to have a multi hit performance with two.

Belhaven will be back in action on Wednesday afternoon as they take on Tougaloo at Smith-Wills Stadium beginning at 4:00 PM. Fans who can't make to the stadium can catch all the play-by-play action via audio and live stats through Stretch Internet by clicking here.