ABILENE, Texas - The Belhaven Baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to come-from-behind and win the series against McMurry 7-6 Saturday afternoon at Walt Driggers Field.
The Blazers started the scoring right out of the gate in the top of the first inning, when
Terrell Hodges sent a fly ball over the left center field fence for his first home run as a Blazer.
The Blazers would add a second run their next time to the plate. After
James Peterson was hit by a pitch,
Will Mullen moved him to second on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter,
Daniel Ammirati, doubled in Peterson to give the Green and Gold the early 2-0 advantage.
McMurry added two runs in the bottom half of the third inning to even the score at two a piece.
In the top half of the fourth inning, the Blazers would retake the lead 3-2 thanks to a solo home run by
Tee Payne, his first of the season.
Belhaven (5-2) extended the lead to 4-2 in the top of the sixth inning. After back-to-back singles by Peterson ad Mullen, followed by a double steal to put them at second and third, Payne scored his second RBI of game wth a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher.
In the bottom half of the frame, McMurry (3-6) added four runs to take their first lead of the game at 6-4. The War Hawks were able to chase starter
Tanner Moulder, who went 5-plus innings, allowing two hits on two earned runs, while striking out eight.
The War Hawks would hold onto the lead until the top of the ninth, when the three-run rally started for the Green and Gold. After back-to-back walks by
JG Miley and
Dane Gecina, Hodges would ground into a fielder's choice to third. Miley would be tagged out at third base for the first out. Two batters later, with two outs, and with Gecina at third and Hodges at first, Hodges stole second base. A War Hawk error forced Hodges to third, while Gecina scored to cut the deficit to 6-5.
After
Trey Eschberger walked and a Peterson hit-by-pitch, that loaded on the bases for Mullen. During the at bat, Hodges stole home for his second steal of the inning to tie the game at six. Later in the at bat, Mullen was hit by a pitch to reload the bases.
The next batter, Ammirati, drew a bases loaded walk on a 3-1 count to score
Jacob Byrd, who pitch ran for Eschberger when he got to second, to give the Blazers their third lead of the game 7-6.
Zach Osha would come in the bottom of the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
Chase Birch (1-0) earned the win as he pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
The Blazers will begin the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday, as the Green and Gold will host Huntingdon at Smith-Wills Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
