Box Score
JACKSON, Miss.-The Belhaven baseball team suffered a disappointing 8-7 loss Tuesday night at Millsaps College in game one of the 2012 Maloney Series. The Blazers, ranked 15th in the preseason NAIA Top 25 Poll, held a 7-4 lead going into the bottom of the ninth thanks to a two out three run home run by senior Anthony Doss. However, the Majors rallied with four in the bottom of the frame to pull out the win.

Both teams put zeros on the board through the first four innings and then the Blazers finally struck for three runs in the top of the fifth. Junior Bud Britt led off with his fourth double of the season to center field followed by walks to junior Jason Hicks and junior Ryne Cook. Senior Jamie Bruno then grounded into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, but the throw home from Millsaps first baseman Andrew Evans was off the mark allowing Britt to score. Senior Clay Bonds then delivered an RBI single to left followed by a one out RBI single off the bat of senior Tyler Wrinkle. Belhaven had an opportunity to do some more damage in the inning, but relief pitcher Samuel Doucet limited the damage by getting the final two outs with the bases loaded.

Millsaps pulled even with three runs in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Andrew Evans and a two run single by Stephen Gates. Jules Roussel started the rally with a one out double and then it looked like the Blazers may escape without allowing a run. Wes Perkins popped out to second, but Keith Shumaker induced a walk and then the Evans base hit, walk, and two run single by Gates followed.

Belhaven went on top again in the seventh on and RBI single to right field by Wrinkle that chased home Bonds. Bonds led off the seventh with a single and then got into scoring position with a stolen base. The Majors drew even again in the eighth thanks in part to another double. This time it was Shumaker who was credited with the two bagger down the left field line off of junior relief pitcher Nick Meekins. Pinch runner Jordan Nolan stole third and crossed the plate on an Evans ground out.

The Blazers put themselves in position to win the game in the top of the 9th when Doss crushed the three run homer just inside the foul pole down the right field line. Bonds and Chad Wardlaw got on base in front of Doss. However, Millsaps fought back in the bottom of the inning scoring on an RBI single by Drew Leonard, a passed ball brought in the second run, and Evans had the game winner on a bases loaded two out two run single up the middle. The Majors ended up with four hits and a walk in the frame leading to the victory.

Belhaven (5-2) collected nine total hits with three of them coming off the bat of Wrinkle who went 3 for 5 with two runs batted in. Britt picked up two hits, including a double, along with senior Clay Bonds who notched two hits and a run batted in. Doss led the way in RBI's with three coming in on his first home run of the season.

Senior Jonathan Thompson started and went the first six innings allowing three runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out five and had the no decision. Meekins pitched two innings and was charged with one run on one hit while totaling three strikeouts. Senior Josh Clarke (0-1) took the loss giving up all four of the ninth inning runs.

Millsaps (1-0) was led at the plate by Andrew Evans who went 2 for 5 with four RBI's which included the game winning runs in the ninth. Keith Shumaker was 2 for 2 and Stephen Gates went 1 for 3 with two runs batted in. The Majors used eight different pitchers as Will Edwards started and went the first three innings without allowing a run. Alex Granier (1-0) eventually ended up getting the win allowing one run on two hits in 0.2 innings.

Belhaven will be back in action on Thursday, taking on Cumberland University (TN) at 4:00 PM in the Belhaven Invitational at Smith-Wills Stadium. The complete tournament schedule along with results from each game can be viewed by clicking here.