Box Score
HENDERSON, Tenn.-The Belhaven baseball team picked up win number three on its seven game road swing; defeating Freed-Hardeman University 12-6 on Wednesday afternoon. The Blazers, ranked 15th in the Preseason NAIA Top 25 Poll, pounded out 16 hits and led from start to finish en route to win number 20 this season.

Belhaven (20-10) took the lead with four runs in the top of the second and set the tone for the rest of the game. Belhaven first baseman Ryan Saunders smashed a solo home run in the second to get the offense rolling. Designated hitter Jaime Bruno wrapped a two run double and center fielder Tyler Wrinkle capped the frame with an RBI double to make it a 4-0 contest.

Freed-Hardeman (18-9) got on the board in the bottom of the second when Mike grounded out to third driving in Wheeler. The Blazers then answered back with a run in the top of the third when right fielder Tom Wertz produced an RBI ground out of his own, extending the edge back to four runs at 5-1.

The Lions brought the Belhaven lead down to one, scoring three times in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Mike and a two run single by Todd. The turning point in the game came in the top of the fifth when Belhaven bounced right back with three runs on four hits. Third baseman Bud Britt sent in Doss, who had double with one out, for the innings first tally and then Bruno cashed in two more RBI's with a single to make it an 8-4 game.

Belhaven increased the advantage to 9-4 in the sixth on a Britt run scoring fielder's choice, plating Wrinkle from third. Freed-Hardeman quickly regained the run in the bottom of the sixth on a Wheeler RBI groundout, but then it was Belhaven's turn to place another run on the board in the top of the seventh. Bruno came through again, adding his fifth RBI to the box score on a single the chased home Wertz. Britt then sent a two run home run over the wall in the eighth for a pair of insurance runs pushing the lead to 12-5. The Lions threatened to get back in it in the ninth by loading up the bases after two men were out. They were successful in getting one run, but Belhaven relief pitcher Alan McHenry got Hykes to pop out for the final out of the day.

Belhaven was led by Bruno, who went 4 for 5 with five runs batted in. Britt drove in four runs on two hits while Wertz came up with two hits, an RBI and three runs scored. Second baseman Jason Hicks and Doss both chipped in with two of the teams 16 hits while Wrinkle notched a hit and one run batted in. The Blazers had three more doubles and a pair of home runs. Belhaven was second in the country in doubles with 67 coming into the game and now own 70 in 2012.

Matthew Shaw started the game for Belhaven and went the first four innings allowing four runs on six hits. Robert Marzoni logged a key inning on the hill in the sixth when he inherited runners on second and third, limiting the damage to one run. Marzoni was awarded with the win which was his first of the year. David Hill pitched one inning in relief and Alan McHenry pitched the eighth and the ninth frames.

Todd had a base hit and two RBI's to pace the Lions at the plate while Prieto picked up two hits in the game. Wallace started on the hill for Freed-Hardeman and took the loss, firing 4.2 innings with eight runs surrendered on nine hits.

Belhaven will get back to conference play on Friday when the team travels to Faulkner University for game one of a three game Southern States Athletic Conference series. Friday's first pitch is slated for 6:00 PM.