Box Score Game 1    Box Score Game 2
Jackson, MS-The Belhaven baseball team wrapped up their three game Southern States Athletic Conference West Division series with the University of Mobile on Saturday afternoon at Smith-Wills Stadium by splitting a doubleheader. The Blazers, ranked 12th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, lost game one 5-4 and came back with a 7-5 win in game two winning two out of the three games this weekend.

Game One
Belhaven (22-7, 4-2 SSAC) hurt themselves in the first game with five errors leading to four unearned runs for Mobile. Things looked promising for the Blazers in the second when they scored four times to take a 4-0 lead. Lake Eiland got things rolling with a single and then crossed the plate on a triple by Paul Moreno. Matt Discon then came up with a sacrifice fly that sent in Moreno followed by a double by Tortorich and a squeeze bunt from Tom Wertz that drove in Alex Riser. The final run of the inning was the result of a throwing error by Mobile third baseman Ben Negus.

Three Belhaven errors in the top of the fourth inning proved to be the difference in the game as the Rams tallied four unearned runs. Negus grounded out to open the frame and then following a base hit by Justin Beck, Discon had back to back errors at second base extending the inning. Blazer starter Brett Blaise could get out the inning and was charged with the four runs. Mobile (19-10, 3-3 SSAC) produced what would be the winning run in the top of the fifth as Jeremy Williams blasted a home run off of John Patino to make it a 5-4 game. The Blazers had chances in the fifth and seventh innings to even the score or take the lead, but couldn't cash in stranding two runners on base in each of the innings.

Jon Patino took the loss in relief for Belhaven as he pitched 3.1 innings allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts dropping his record to 2-2. Blaise went the first 3.2 innings and gave up four unearned runs on two hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Moreno led the offense going 2 for 4 with a triple and one run batted in. Eiland, Gilford, and Tortorich had two hits apiece with Gilford and Tortorich both collecting doubles. Wertz was one for two with an RBI and Discon had the third run batted in of the afternoon.

Josh Blaylock tossed a complete game for Mobile and got the win allowing four runs on nine hits running his 2011 record to 1-0. Williams was 2 for 4 with the only RBI of the game for the Rams. Ryne Phillips, Ryan Waltman, and Justin Beck each notched one hit.

Game Two
In game two, Belhaven pulled in front again 4-0 only to see the Rams take the lead with five runs in the fourth. The first two Blazer runs came in the first inning on an RBI single by Eiland and then with the bases loaded Riser was hit by a pitch to make it a 2-0 game although it could have been more. Belhaven left the bases loaded and on the day the bases would be left full in the first, fourth and fifth innings. In total, Belhaven stranded 12 runners through the course of the game.

In the second and third, Belhaven tacked on single runs each as Doss singled in Wrinkle who had doubled with one out in the second. Jordan Brewer led off the third inning by blasting his second home run of the season off the scoreboard in the left to make it a 4-0 contest.

In the top of the fourth, Mobile collected four straight hits as Barber cashed in the first run of the inning. Brady King followed with a RBI bunt single and then Beck tripled in two more runs to tie the game at 4-4. Sean Kelly replaced Alan McHenry on the hill and gave up a run scoring double to Cameron White putting the Rams on top 5-4. Mark Husband then came in from the bullpen to record the final out and keep it a one run game.

Belhaven responded quickly in the bottom of the fourth to knot the game at 5-5. Eiland came through again with an RBI single on the infield plating Wrinkle from third. Wrinkle began the fourth with his second double of the game down the left field line. In the fifth, the Blazers took the lead for good as Corey Fountain issued a bases loaded walk to Gilford scoring Wrinkle who had singled with two outs to keep the inning alive. In the sixth, Belhaven put up an insurance run on an RBI base hit to left by Tortorich extending the lead to 7-5. Closer Josh Clarke, who pitched four innings on Friday night, slammed the door on Mobile in the top of the seventh to earn the save.

Mark Husband (1-0) notched his first win of the season in relief pitching 1.1 innings with a walk and one strikeout. Josh Clarke picked up his fifth save by closing the game in the seventh inning. Clarke set the side down in order and tallied one strikeout after striking out seven in four innings on Friday. McHenry started and was charged with all five runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Tyler Wrinkle led Belhaven at the plate in game two going 3 for 5 including a pair of doubles with three runs scored. Eiland was 2 for 4 with two runs batted in and Brewer also picked up two hits with an RBI while scoring twice. Tortorich had a hit and an RBI as did Gilford while Riser did not collect a hit, but had a run batted in.

Corey Fountain suffered the loss for Mobile on the mound as he pitched 1.2 innings and was pegged with two runs on three hits. Jeff Lyons pitched 1.1 innings with identical numbers and starter Jacob Knowles lasted two innings and gave up three runs on five hits. Beck was one for two at the plate with 2 RBI's for Mobile and Waltman was 2 for 3 in the game. Barber, King, and White all had a hit and an RBI apiece.

Belhaven will be back in action on Tuesday as they travel to NCAA Division II Arkansas-Monticello. The first pitch is slated for 1:30 PM and all the play-by-play action can be heard through Stretch Internet by clicking here.