Box Score
JACKSON, Miss.-The Belhaven baseball team notched its second win in the Belhaven University Invitational topping 21st ranked Southern Polytechnic State University 5-1 Friday afternoon at Smith-Wills Stadium. The Blazers, ranked 15th in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, rallied from an early deficit for the second consecutive day to get the win.

Southern Poly (4-5) grabbed the early edge at 1-0 in the top of the fourth as the Blazers struggled to get the offense going. Third baseman Jon White led off with a double and came in when second baseman Josue Quinones hit into a fielder's choice.

In the sixth frame, Belhaven (7-2) opened with three consecutive singles by left fielder Anthony Doss, third baseman Bud Britt, and first baseman Ryan Saunders to tie the game at 1-1. Saunders' base hit to left field brought in the first run of the game as Doss scampered home. Later in the inning, catcher Kyle Wheeler singled in Britt and then DH Jaime Bruno lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that moved pinch runner Emilio DeSilva across the plate making it 3-1.

Belhaven tacked on a run in the seventh on another RBI single by Saunders, extending the lead to 4-1. Southern Polytechnic State first baseman Kendall Wehrle dropped a throw at first on a ground ball back to the mound by Doss that would have ended the inning. Britt then picked up a single and Saunders cashed in Doss for the run.

Belhaven pulled further in front with one more insurance run in the eight when Bruno ripped a leadoff double down the left field line and then a center fielder Tyler Wrinkle's two out double to the gap in left center chased in Dillon Berry who had pinch ran for Bruno. Leading 5-1, relief pitcher Matthew Shaw closed the door on the Hornet's in the ninth to lock down the win.

Saunders ended the day going 2 for 4 with two RBI's while Britt and Doss each added a pair of hits in the game. Wrinkle went 1 for 5 with an RBI, Wheeler was 1 for 4 with a run batted in, and Bruno went 1 for 3 with an RBI. As a team, Belhaven pounded out 10 hits and the pitching staff limited the Hornets to four hits.

Brett Blaise got the start on the bump and pitched 6.1 innings allowing only one run on three hits with three strikeouts, leading to his second win of the season. Shaw earned his first save of 2012 firing 2.2 innings in relief recording three strikeouts.

“I thought we play a good ball game today even though it took us little while to settle in,” said Assistant Head Coach Clay Smith. “Means is one of their best pitchers and he did a good job keeping our guys of balance. Brett (Blaise) did an excellent job throwing on short rest. He just threw Monday, came back today and did a really good job. We are really pleased with Matthew Show coming in out of the bullpen. He is throwing the ball well and shutdown Southern Poly in the seventh when they had two on and one out. He struck out the next two hitters and closed the door in the eighth and ninth innings.”

Southern Poly (4-5) was led by White who went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Left fielder Jordan Williams and shortstop Trey Malone each had one hit and Quinones had the only RBI. Josh Means took the loss for Southern Poly working 6.2 innings; surrendering four runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

Belhaven will take the field again Saturday afternoon to battle 6th ranked LSU-Shreveport at 2:30 PM at Smith-Wills Stadium.