Box Score MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Belhaven baseball team (40-18, 17-14 SSAC) suffered their first loss of the 2014 Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday, falling 11-3 to the top-seeded Faulkner Eagles. The Blazers and Eagles (45-13, 23-8 SSAC) will meet again on Friday at 11:00 am, with the winner advancing to take on Southern Polytechnic State University in the tournament championship.

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Belhaven starter Chris Good (4-2) lasted six innings on the mound, surrendering three earned runs on six hits while striking out a pair. The bullpen has been a strength for the Blazers all year, but Faulkner roughed up several pitchers on Friday evening.

Will Cockrell and Richard Richardson were roughed up for a combined four runs without recording an out before David Hill hurled the next 1.1 innings and allowed three runs. Jim Tom Copeland pitched the final two outs on the mound for the Blazers, retiring both men he faced.

Faulkner right hander Jeremy Holcombe (9-3) turned in a strong performance, pitching eight innings without permitting an earned run to cross the plate. He fanned five Belhaven hitters en route to his ninth victory of the year. Dustin Spruiell allowed a single run in the final frame, but the Eagles cruised to their second victory in as many games.

Offensively, Emilio DeSilva paced the Blazers with two base hits, while Reagan Rutledge and Gabe Wilson were credited with an RBI apiece. Centerfielder Chris Madera and designated hitter Robert Llera each found two hits for Faulkner, with the latter driving in a game-high four runs.

Belhaven and Faulkner each will host the opening round of the national tournament, but the winner of tomorrow's game will battle undefeated SPSU for the title of SSAC Champion. The Eagles and Blazers will square off at 11:00 am from Paterson Field, with the championship game following immediately after.