Box Score
Jackson, MS-If any game could be considered a pitcher's dual, Friday's night's 15 inning marathon between Belhaven and the University of Mobile at Smith-Wills Stadium certainly fit the bill. The Blazers, ranked 12th in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, finally broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 15th when Anthony Doss was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the winning run from third base.

Belhaven (21-6, 3-1 SSAC) had a number of opportunities to score throughout the game and ended up leaving 14 men on base. The Blazers were also 0 for 15 at the plate with runners in scoring position. Belhaven threatened to score in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings putting runners in scoring position in each frame. Unfortunately, they could not come up with the clutch hit to break the tie.

In the sixth, Belhaven left runners on second and third as Drew Dillard flied out to right field ending the inning. The Blazers then left two more on in the seventh and in the eighth it looked like they might be able to crack through again. With one out, Lake Eiland doubled off the wall in left and missed a home run by just a few feet. Doss lined out to center field and Dillard flied to right stranding Eiland at third.

In the ninth inning, the Blazers had two more chances to drive in a runner from second base, but once again Mobile (18-9, 2-2 SSAC) starter Michael King pitched his way out of a jam. Matt Discon led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Derek Tortorich. Ryan Saunders grounded out and pinch hitter Alex Riser flied out to center field sending the game to extra innings.

Belhaven starter Allen Johnson matched King pitch for pitch and stayed in the game for 11 innings. Johnson was also able to work out of some jams forcing the Rams to strand runners in scoring position in the first, second, fifth, and sixth innings. For the second week in a row, Johnson had to settle for a no decision as he turned in back to back lights out performances. Johnson allowed only six hits, did not walk or hit a batter, and struck out 10 Friday night. Last week, Johnson took a no hitter into the ninth inning against Truett-McConnell which also turned into a no decision. In his last two starts, Johnson has only given up one earned run in 19.1 innings of work.

Belhaven nearly gave Johnson the win in the bottom of the 11th as Doss doubled to the gap in the left center to open the frame. Dillard moved Doss to third on a groundout forcing the Rams to pull the infield in. Discon hit a sharp grounder to second base and was thrown out followed by a fly ball to center by Tortorich to end the inning. This time, relief pitcher John Ladnier shutdown the Blazers to keep the game tied.

In the 12th, Belhaven called in Josh Clarke from the bullpen and Clarke did not disappoint. Clarke was just as effective as Johnson and held back the Rams through four innings until the Blazers were finally able to break through in the 15th. Jordan Brewer led off the 15th with a bunt single and then stole second with one out followed a strikeout of Tyler Wrinkle. Jimmy Gilford was intentionally walked and then Justin Beck committed a costly error on a ground ball off the bat of Eiland loading the bases. Corey Fountain was called in from the bullpen to face Doss and on the second pitch hit Doss plating Brewer from third for the winning run.

Clarke earned the win in relief pitching four innings allowing only one hit while striking out seven as he improves to 3-0 this season. Doss led Belhaven at the plate going 3 for 6 with a double, two singles, and was credited with the game winning RBI. Eiland and Discon each had two hits including a double apiece. Wrinkle, Gilford, Brewer, and Paul Moreno also picked up one hit each. Brewer also came up with a key stolen base in the 15th inning.

King took the no decision for Mobile firing the first nine innings surrendering eight hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Ladnier suffered the loss falling to 1-3 in 2011 as he tossed 5.1 innings allowing one run on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Beck led the Rams at the plate going 2 for 6 with a pair of singles. Cameron White, Jeremy Williams, Ryne Phillips, Ryan Waltman, and Brady King all had one hit apiece for the Rams. Mobile had seven total hits, but none of them went for extra bases.

Belhaven will be back in action on Saturday as they wrap up the three game SSAC series with Mobile in a doubleheader at Smith-Wills Stadium starting at 1:00 PM. Fans can follow all the live play-by-play through audio and live stats by clicking here.