Box Score
JACKSON, Tenn.-The Belhaven baseball team pulled out an 8-7 non-conference victory at Union University (TN) on Monday afternoon. The Blazers, ranked 15th in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, have now won three straight after snapping a five game losing skid on Saturday.

Belhaven took an early lead in the top of the first inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Bud Britt. Union starting pitcher Colin Hatch could not find the plate, walking the first three men that he faced to load the bases. Benjie Fesmire came in from the bullpen to get Britt and limited the damage to one run as the Blazers let the potential for a big inning go by the boards.

The Bulldogs countered with a run in the bottom of the first when center fielder Clint Barnes led off with a home run against Belhaven starter Ryan Kassab tying the game at 1-1. Belhaven then produced the big inning that escaped them in the first by scoring six times in the second. Designated hitter Jaime Bruno doubled home right fielder Tom Wertz and Bruno later scored on a two out single by second baseman Jason Hicks. Left fielder Anthony Doss followed Hicks and crushed a two run home run to right, his third of the season to make it a 5-1 game. Britt made it on base with a double and first baseman Ryan Saunders capped the inning with a two run bomb to right field.

Unfortunately, the 7-1 lead didn't last long, as Union rallied with five runs in the bottom of the second. First baseman Jim Martin started things off with a two run home run and R.J. Rayborn crossed the plate on a throwing error by Kassab. Right fielder Brett Pawlan produced an RBI single to left, which drove Kassab from the game. Nick Meekins came in and allowed an RBI double to left by Kian Jost, but got third baseman Cole McAdams on a fly ball to center to end the inning and limit the damage to five runs.

The Blazers added a run in the fourth on an RBI ground out by Saunders and Meekins settled in a shutdown the Union offense through the seventh inning. Belhaven led 8-6 until the eighth when Pawlan sent a home run over the wall in right field off Robert Marzoni bringing the Bulldogs to within one at 8-7. Belhaven closer Josh Clarke was summoned from the bullpen to pitch the ninth and finish off the game. Clarke ended up having to battle for his sixth save of the season as shortstop Ryne Cook's throwing error put McAdams on second to open the inning. A wild pitch by Clarke moved him to third, but Clarke threw out McAdams on a fielder's choice and induced a game ending double play from Rayborn to secure the 8-7 victory.

Belhaven (18-10) was led in hits by right fielder Tom Wertz who was 3 for 4 on the afternoon. Left fielder Anthony Doss had two hits including a home run and two runs batted in. First baseman Ryan Saunders collected three RBI's, with two crossing the plate on a home run blast in the second inning. Second baseman Jason Hicks and DH Jaime Bruno had the other RBI's for the Blazers. Belhaven pounded out 11 total hits and scored six runs in the second and held on for the win.

Left hander Nick Meekins recorded his first win on the hill this season in relief, logging 4.1 scoreless innings on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Josh Clarke held the Bulldogs off the board in the ninth for his sixth save of 2012.

Union (12-6-1) had a four hit afternoon from left fielder Kian Jost followed by Brett Pawlan with three hits and two runs batted in. First baseman Jim Martin had a home run and two runs batted in while center fielder Clint Barnes also went deep and drove in a run. Relief pitcher Benjie Fesmire gave up six of the nine runs in two innings and suffered the loss.

Belhaven will be back on the field Tuesday afternoon at Bethel University (TN) beginning at 2:00 PM.