Box Score
Jackson, MS-The Belhaven baseball team pounded out 15 hits and scored 13 runs en route to a 13-7 win over NCAA Division II University of Arkansas-Monticello Wednesday night at Smith-Wills Stadium. The Blazers, ranked 23rd in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, held an 8-0 lead and for the second straight night had to hold off an opponent to take the win. The Boll Weevils scored seven unanswered to pull within one at 8-7 heading in to the bottom of the seventh. Belhaven then scored five unanswered runs of their own to put the game away with three runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth inning.

Belhaven (30-11) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second on an RBI triple by Derek Tortorich followed by a run scoring single off the bat of Paul Moreno. In the third inning, the Blazers added three more runs beginning with a leadoff home run to left by Tyler Wrinkle. It was Wrinkle's team leading fourth home run of the year which made it a 3-0 contest at that point. Later in the inning, Lake Eiland singled in Jimmy Gilford and Tortorich picked up his second RBI of the game with a ground out to second that plated Eiland to make the score 5-0.

Belhaven seemed to have the game in hand when they tacked on three more scores in the fifth to build and 8-0 edge. Tortorich brought home the first run with another ground ball on the infield sending Gilford across the plate. Moreno followed with an RBI triple to center field and Matt Discon singled home Moreno to cap the inning.

Arkansas-Monticello (10-18) started their comeback bid in the sixth on an RBI double by Richard Atwood and then in the seventh the Boll Weevils exploded for six runs to pull within a run at 8-7. Belhaven starting pitcher Mark Husband struck out Chase Stokes to begin the inning, but then ran into some trouble by loading the bases before giving way to Golden Grasse. Grasse faced Wayne Hawkins who plated the first run of the inning on a fielder's choice. TJ Cox followed with an RBI single and then the big hit in the frame was delivered by Atwood who sent in three runs on a bases clearing double. Jon Tatum cashed in Atwood on a single to center and all of a sudden Arkansas-Monticello was within a run of the Blazers.

Fortunately, the Belhaven bats came back to life in the bottom of the seventh as Ryan Saunders came through with a clutch two out three run triple down the right field line giving the Blazers some breathing room at 11-7. In the eighth, Belhaven posted two more insurance runs on a two run double down the right field by Eiland. Nick Meekins shutdown the Arkansas-Monticello bats in the ninth giving Belhaven the 13-7 victory.

Belhaven (30-11) was led by Eiland who had three hits including a double and three runs batted in on the night. Tortorich and Saunders also had two hits and three RBI's and both hitters picked up triples in Wednesday's game. Moreno was 2 for 4 with a triple driving in two runs while scoring two more. Wrinkle launched his fourth home run of the season and was 1 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. The Blazers had five extra base hits including three triples giving the team 27 on the year. Belhaven was second in the NAIA in total triples heading into Wednesday's game.

Husband started and pitched the first 6.1 innings for Belhaven allowing four runs on four hits. Husband walked four and struck out four to pickup his third win of the season running his record to 3-1. Grasse was charged with three runs on two hits while Sean Kelly logged 1.1 scoreless innings. Meekins made his first appearance since March 9th and pitched one inning without giving up a run.

Atwood led the way at the plate for Arkansas-Monticello collecting three hits in four at bats including two doubles and four runs batted in. Hawkins, Cox, and Tatum each had a hit and an RBI. Coda Medlin started the game for the Boll Weevils and took the loss allowing five runs on eight hits in three innings of work. Medlin's season record falls to 0-2. Brent Noble surrendered three runs in three innings, Atwood gave up three runs in one inning of work, and Stokes allowed two runs in one inning on the mound.

Belhaven will be back in action on Friday as they open a three game Southern States Athletic Conference West Division series at Spring Hill College. Friday night's game will get underway at 6:00 PM and Saturday's doubleheader is slated to start at 1:00 PM. Fans can follow all the live play-by-play action through live audio by clicking here.