Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven baseball team (20-4, 7-2 SSAC) completed their Southern States Athletic Conference sweep of Blue Mountain College after winning both games of a Saturday doubleheader. The Toppers (2-14, 1-11 SSAC) dropped the opener 5-4 before falling in the nightcap by a final of 7-0 at Smith-Wills Stadium.

(Box Score Game 1) (Box Score Game 2)
"It's tough to get a sweep no matter who you're playing," Head Coach Hill Denson said. "We got two outstanding pitching performances in this series, and it ended up well for us."

A day after the Blazer offense posted 10 hits; the lineup went right back to work against Blue Mountain starter Jose Acosta. The southpaw lasted just 4.1 innings, while allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks.

The Blazers countered with a lefty of their own, as Chris Good went four innings, giving up just two earned runs on five hits. Ben Allison, Andrew Gunn, and Austin McCann each threw a scoreless inning, with the lone blemish being Allison's unearned run in the top of the fifth.

Outfielder Dominick Francia was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate while driving in a run, while Paul Pickerrell and Tyler Akins combined for four base hits and three runs scored. Five other Blazers contributed base hits, while Brayden Dykes came away with a walk-off sacrifice fly that scored Hunter Sutton in the bottom of the seventh.

Belhaven totaled 12 hits on the game, including four for extra bases. Topper reliever Will Basil was hit with his second loss of the year after allowing Sutton's run to score and end the game. Thanks to Dykes' game-winner, McCann ended up recording his second victory of the year on the mound.

The top of the Blue Mountain order did the bulk of the damage, as Trae Allison, Thomas Russell, and Josh Crowder combined for seven of the team's 10 hits. Allison led off the game with a double, the only extra base hit of the game for Belhaven's guests.

"We almost gave away a sloppy ballgame," Denson said. "We turned around and got the win, though, and it was big for us."

Right hander Rayko Bellmas took the hill for the home nine in the series finale, and the offense provided an early spark. Three runs come across in the first inning before the Blazers added on another in the second, giving Bellmas all the support he would need. The Cisco Junior College transfer allowed seven hits through his seven innings of work, but the bullpen ensured the shutout would stay intact.

Belhaven's offensive attack was paced once again by Pickerrell, who went 2-4 while driving in three. Reagan Rutledge added a multi-hit game of his own, while Boomer Scarborough's pinch hit double served as the squad's only extra-base hit. The Blazers swiped six bags to give them a total of 14 for the series.

Josh Rogers and Tyler Akins each hurled a scoreless frame, helping the Blazers cruise to their second shutout in as many days and their fifth consecutive victory overall. Blue Mountain's Channing Sanders dropped to 0-4 on the season after allowing five Belhaven runs and striking out four through 6.1 innings.

Crowder added another multi-hit game for the Toppers, while Josh Whitaker's double was the lone hit for extra bases. Five other Blue Mountain hitters added a base hit, and the visitors outhit their hosts but were unable to scratch across any run support.

Belhaven returns to non-conference action on Tuesday, when they will hit the road and put their five game win streak on the line in East Texas. First pitch against the University of Texas at Tyler is slated for 2:00 PM.