GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Belhaven Blazers split the opening day of the Gulf Coast Invitational, falling to William Penn before defeating Central Methodist.
 
The Blazers jumped out to a 2-0 lead on an Ashlee Hitt homerun in the first inning of game number one against the Statesmen of William Penn.
 
However, the Statesmen were able to answer with 15 unanswered runs, handing Jordan Herring and the Blazers their second straight loss.
 
In game two, Belhaven scored first, as Dominique Cornoa hit an RBI double to score Hitt.
 
Central Methodist answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at one. After a pair of scoreless innings, Belhaven took the lead as the Blazers capitalized on an error and a wild pitch.
 
The Blazers scored in the bottom of the fifth inning, capitalizing on an error and a wild pitch by the Eagles. However, Central Methodist answered back to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Dani Craft put Belhaven back ahead I the seventh as she took two bases on a wild pitch. On the next play, Corona put Belhaven ahead by two with a RBI single to right field, scoring Hitt.
 
Julienne Broussard and the Blazers allowed one run in the seventh, but the sophomore pitcher was able to get her 12th strikeout of the game on the final out to secure Belhaven's 5-4 victory.
 
The Blazers will wrap the Gulf Coast Invitational on Saturday with games against South Carolina – Beaufort and Campbellsville.