Box Score JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven softball team (1-0) opened their season on an icy Monday afternoon with a 13-7 victory over NCAA Division-I Alcorn State University (0-1). After the first game lasted more than three hours due to a 35-minute rain delay, the second game was called after three innings and will be made up at a later date. At the time the nightcap ended, Belhaven was clinging to a 4-0 lead.

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"Any time you can beat a Division-1 school is a good thing," fourth year Head Coach Kevin Griffin said. "Alcorn is much better than they have been in years past, and I would expect them to make some noise in their conference."

On a day where the temperature dropped as low as 37 degrees, Belhaven gave the ball to senior Katy Adair in the pitching circle for the season opener. Adair allowed just two runs on one hit while striking out four and walking two in her three innings of work. The fourth inning saw the Blazers turn things over to the bullpen, and senior Ginger Lonergan was able to record the first victory of the season.

Lonergan went 3.2 innings, allowing five runs on three Alcorn State hits, while walking three and recording three strikeouts. Senior Jessica Paris came on for the final out of the game and recorded her first strikeout of the 2014 campaign after leading the team in that category a season ago.

"It was hard to grip the ball today, but our pitching staff is going to be fine," Griffin said. "You always worry about how many runs you're going to score, but we took good approaches at the plate and got off to a hot start."

Offensively, Belhaven took advantage of 14 walks and four Alcorn State errors, as the home nine posted a nine-run first inning that would ultimately dictate the game's outcome. Braves pitcher Jazmin Castillo was hit with her first loss of the year, as she was responsible for nine of the allowed runs.

The Blazer attack was paced by third baseman Ashley Hitt, who went 3 for 5 at the plate while driving in a pair of runs. Newcomer Josie Porter posted a 2 for 4 effort while plating two and scoring two more while Paris recorded two RBI and drew a pair walks.

For the Braves, second baseman Alexandria Harris provided the spark, going 2-4 with a pair of home runs and four runs driven in. The only other Alcorn State player credited with an RBI was right fielder Devon Ryan, who scored on each of Harris' homers.

Belhaven returns to action on Friday, when they will play three games against Sooner Athletic Conference teams in the Cowtown Classic Tournament. The first pitch from Fort Worth is scheduled for 9:00 am.

"There is great competition out there, and we are looking forward to seeing it this weekend," Griffin said. "These games will challenge us, but we are hoping to come away with a successful road trip."