MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Belhaven baseball team suffered a season-ending loss on Thursday, falling to Martin Methodist College in the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament. The Blazers finish the 2015 season with a record of 33-25, including an 11-20 mark against conference teams.
 
In a must-win game for both teams, offensive fireworks started with a five-run Belhaven first inning, but that would be only the first half-inning of eight with more than one run scored. The Redhawks manufactured at least one run in each of the first seven frames, highlighted by a six-run fifth that proved to be a changing point.
 
Adam Kowalczyk led the Blazer offense with a pair of 3-run homers to finish his first season in Green and Gold with a team-high 15. Hunter Sutton gave the Blazers a 4-for-6 effort at the plate, while Trey Eschberger and Emilio DeSilva each finished with three hits. In all, the Blazers belted 23 hits, including four for extra bases, to outhit the Redhawks by six.
 
Martin Methodist leftfielder Brodie Jeffery and third baseman Jimbo Ramsey combined to go 6-for-10 at the plate, while five other teammates contributed a multi-hit afternoon. Four different Redhawks drove in three runs apiece, providing just enough for the Redhawks to sneak into the next round.
 
Starters Stephen Solomon and Jake Shadix combined to toss just five innings, allowing seven runs apiece before turning things over to their respective bullpens. David Collins took over for the Redhawks, allowing another seven Belhaven runs over the final 6.1 frames to earn the win.
 
The Belhaven bullpen was unable to stop the bleeding, as five relievers totaled ten runs before Michael Wurster and Chase Davidson teamed up for a scoreless bottom of the eighth. David Hill took the loss for Belhaven, dropping to 1-4 on the season.
 
Martin Methodist is set to play the loser of Auburn-Montgomery and the University of Mobile in the bracket's next elimination game. To follow the rest of the SSAC Tournament, please click here.