SHREVEPORT, La. – The Belhaven baseball team defeated the 10th-ranked LSU-Shreveport Pilots on Wednesday by a final of 10-9. The Blazers' offense erupted to score nine runs in the game's last two innings to improve the team's record to 10-4 on the season.

"We wanted to approach things differently after a loss yesterday. Our guys battled their way to a win against a good team, and I'm proud of them for that," Head Coach Hill Denson said. "This was a game that could have easily gone a different way, so it was nice for us to come away with a win."

Pilot third baseman Alex Montero got the scoring started with a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, and leftfielder Kade Billeaudeaux added a run with an RBI single an inning later. The Blazers scored their first run in the third frame on a single through the right side by leftfielder Emilio DeSilva.

LSUS starting pitcher Jared West lasted six innings, surrendering just one Belhaven run on five hits while striking out nine. In the bottom of the sixth, Montero plated another run to give the Pilots a 5-1 advantage, but the Blazers' lineup refused to go quietly.

Paul Pickerrell was hit by a pitch to open the Belhaven eighth and advanced to third when Adam Kowalczyk singled up the middle to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Pinch hitter Dane Gecina plated Pickerrell on an RBI groundout to second before Gabe Wilson doubled to left center to cut the deficit to 5-3.

Right fielder Joey Harris became the second Blazer of the inning to get plunked by a Michael Wilson pitch, forcing LSU-Shreveport to make another pitching change. Hunter Sutton welcomed Jonathan Lycan to the game with a two-RBI double to right center, tying the game at 5-5.

The Pilots stormed back with a four-run bottom half to regain a 9-5 lead, seemingly taking the Blazers out of the game. The top half of the ninth, however, proved to be the biggest inning of the day for the road team.

DeSilva opened the frame with a bunt single, Pickerrell singled to left field, and Gecina reached on an error by LSUS shortstop Kym Barthel. Two batters later, Wilson singled in a run, and Harris followed with the fourth hit of the inning to pull the Blazers within a run.

Sutton kept the inning going with a triple to right center that plated both runners and gave Belhaven their first lead of the day. The Blazers carried a 10-9 lead into the bottom of the ninth, and Zach Osha overcame a pair of baserunners to hold on for the win.

As the tenth and final Belhaven arm of the day, Osha improved to 2-2 on the year, while Lycan was saddled with the loss for LSU-Shreveport. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for last year's Red River Athletic Conference Champion, while the Blazers were able to salvage a split in their two-day Louisiana road trip.

Sutton and Gabe Wilson combined to go 5-for-5 at the plate, including four extra base hits and six RBI to highlight the Belhaven offense. Montero served as the premier hitter for the Pilots, sparking four base hits and plating five. With the win, the Blazers tied the all-time series between the two teams at 38 wins apiece.

The Blazers return to action on Friday, when they are set to host the University of Mobile in Southern States Athletic Conference play. First pitch is slated for 4:00 pm from Smith-Wills Stadium.

"Mobile is a team that always plays us well, and each win in our league is big," Denson said. "We are ready to return home after a five-game road trip, but we need to stay focused heading into the weekend."