Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – Senior Robert Marzoni had a career night leading Belhaven to a 2-1 won over Southern States Athletic Conference rival University of Mobile Friday at Smith-Wills Stadium. Marzoni pitched a complete game in his first career start as a Blazer and in the process earned a crucial conference decision in game one of the three game series.

Marzoni held one of the NAIA's most potent offenses to just one run on seven hits. Mobile (22-14, 9-10 SSAC) came into the weekend ranked sixth in the nation with a team batting average at .331 while averaging just under seven runs per game. Marzoni (2-1) matched a career high with five strikeouts in a single game, which he set in the opening game of the season on January 25th against Blue Mountain.

Mobile's only run of the night came in the top of the first inning with two outs on a solo home run by first baseman Braxton Hamil. Hamil turned on a pitch that was up in the strike zone launching the ball over the wall in right center.

Belhaven (27-14, 12-7 SSAC) was kept off balance by Shane Ikner, who matched Marzoni pitch to pitch until the seventh inning when the Blazers scored both of their runs. Belhaven's scoring chances were also limited with the exception of the fifth when the tying run stood at third with one out. However, center fielder Reagan Rutledge was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice off the bat of pinch hitter Joshua Bouldin for the second out of the inning. Ikner struck out left fielder Dominick Francia to get out of the jam.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Rutledge started the rally with a single to center and then stole second base. It was his second steal of the night giving him 34 on the season. The Rams then hurt themselves when third baseman Neil Hudson dropped a pop-up by DH Hamilton Harper on what would have been the second out of the inning.

The miscue would prove to be costly as Rutledge moved to third and then scored on a squeeze bunt by shortstop Josiah Richard. Ikner tried to throw home, but Rutledge slid in ahead of the tag to tie the game at 1-1. With runners now at first and second, Francia singled to left to load the bases setting up an RBI fielder's choice by second baseman Ryne Cook. The ground ball plated Harper from third for what would be the game winning run.

Ikner ended up taking the loss for Mobile as he falls to 5-5 on the season. Ikner pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on seven hits although only one of the runs was earned. He did not walk a batter and struck out six. Hamil led the Rams at the plate with two hits and one run batted in on the homer in the first.

Belhaven had three players with two hits apiece led by Wheeler who picked up his ninth double of the season. Rutledge and Francia both ended the night with a pair of singles.

The Blazers will wrap up their three game series with Mobile Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader at Smith-Wills Stadium beginning at 1:00 PM.