Box Score Game 1    Box Score Game 2
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-The Belhaven baseball team split a Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader at eighth ranked Faulkner University on Saturday afternoon. The Blazers, ranked 15th in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, were powered to a 5-2 win in game one by designated hitter Jaime Bruno who produced a two run home run and a three run shot that accounted for all five runs. Belhaven's offense was held in check in game two, losing an 8-2 decision to the Eagles.

Game One
Belhaven (21-12, 7-8 SSAC) got on the board in the second inning when Bruno launched his two run homer over the wall in right center field. Second baseman Jason Hicks dropped down a bunt single to get on base for the Bruno blast. Faulkner (25-9, 12-3 SSAC) picked up a run in the fifth on an RBI base hit by Brook Boudreaux, cutting the lead down to 2-1. Then in the sixth, Bruno struck again with the three run home run deep over the wall in right field with two outs to make it a 5-1 lead. Left fielder Anthony Doss lined a base hit to left and Hicks drew a walk to get on base and scored on the round tripper. Faulkner threatened to get back in the game in the bottom of the seventh scoring once off relief pitcher Bick Meekins, but closer Josh Clarke came in and worked out of the inning to get the save.

Bruno led the Blazer bats going 2 for 5 with five runs batted in on the two home runs. Doss was one for two with a run scored, Hicks had one hit and a run scored, and Hamilton Harper had a pinch hit single. Allen Johnson started on the bump for Belhaven and pitched five innings, limiting Faulkner to one run on three hits in five innings. Johnson (4-4) did not issue a walk and struck out five Eagle hitters to get the win. Josh Clarke pitched the seventh and notched his seventh save of 2012.

Boudreaux had two hits and an RBI for Faulkner followed by Tucker Willard, David Bishop, John Gunnels, and Matt Parker with one hit each. Starting pitcher Will Dismukes (4-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in 5.2 innings on the hill.

Game Two
Game two was all Faulkner as the Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the second and never looked back. Shortstop Daniel Cayton recorded his third home run of the weekend leading off the second inning with a solo blast to center field. Parker drove in the second Faulkner run in the third with an RBI double down the left field line. In the fourth, the Eagles plated three more runs on a two run triple by Parker to right center and Boudreaux accounted for the other tally crossing the plate on a wild pitch. Faulkner went up 6-0 in the fifth when Bishop scored on a passed ball.

Belhaven notched the first of two runs in the sixth on an RBI groundout by third baseman Bud Britt. The Blazers had the makings of a potential big inning by loading the bases with nobody out, but Matt Creel pitched his way out of the jam and limited the damage to one run. The Eagles produced two more insurance runs in the eighth when Antonio Kendrick scored on a throwing error by catcher Clay Bonds and Tucker Willard doubled home Ronald Tarvin with a shot to right center field. Belhaven posted its second run in the ninth on an RBI single from Wertz.

Hicks and Cook combined for six of Belhaven's nine hits in game two as each went 3 for 5 at the plate. Two of the hits by Hicks were doubles. Doss had a double in three trips to the plate followed by first baseman Ryan Saunders with a two bagger, and shortstop Ryne Cook with a single in three plate appearances. Wertz and Britt had the only two runs batted on the afternoon.

Brett Blaise was tagged with his first loss of the season sending his record to 3-1. Blaise went 3.2 innings and allowed five runs on four hits with six walks and four strikeouts. Jon Patino pitched 2.1 innings and surrendered an unearned run on two hits. David Hill was responsible for the other two Eagle runs in the eighth.

Parker led Faulkner at the plate in game two going 2 for 5 with three runs batted in. Williard was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Cayton had the home run in four official plate appearances. Pitcher Matt Creel improved to 4-0 on the season thanks to a six inning outing on the hill. Creel held the Blazers to one run on five hits while walking two and striking out three.

Belhaven will take the field again on Tuesday, heading to Mississippi College for a Maloney Series game starting at 6:00 PM. The Blazers are 1-1 in Maloney Series games this season.