ABILENE, Texas – The Belhaven baseball team scored 19 runs, 28 hits and allowed only two hits to Hardin-Simmons in a doubleheader sweep of the Cowboys in ASC play on Saturday afternoon at Hunter Field, 7-1 and 12-0.
In game one, Belhaven started the scoring early and often with two runs in the first inning.
Trey Eschberger drove in the first run of the game on a single to left field, scoring
Adam Kowalczyk, who doubled before Eschberger's at bat. The second run came via a
Will Mullen RBI single, scoring Eschberger.
In the second, the Blazers tacked on another run to make the score 3-0.
JG Miley reached on an infield single and got to third base on an error.
Jacob Byrd brought MIley on a sacrifice fly.
In the third, Mullen brought two more runs across to put the game at 5-0 in favor of the Green and Gold. The junior shortstop singled to right field, bringing in Eschberger and Kowalczyk.
After Hardin-Simmons broke the shutout in the bottom of the third, the Blazers responded with a run in the fourth to make it 6-1. Eschberger notched another hit, bringing in
Terrell Hodges.
Eschberger collected his third RBI of the game in the sixth with a single to right field to bring in Hodges for the 7-1 advantage.
Zach Osha (1-2) went the distance for Belhaven in game one, allowing one hit, one run and tossed three strikeouts.
In game two, Belhaven (16-9, 6-5) started the scoring in the fourth inning. Mullen, with one out in the frame, grounded into a fielder's choice and got to second on an error. Kowalczyk scored on the play from third after collecting his second career triple as a Blazer.
In the fifth, Belhaven answered with two runs to make the score 3-0. Byrd, with
Gabe Veith at third base, brought him home with an RBI single. Two batters later, Kowalczyk delivered with two outs with an RBI single to left, bringing in Byrd.
Belhaven added one more run in the sixth, when Miley brought home
Brandon Hymel on a double. The Green and Gold were up 4-0 after six innings.
The Blazers added four runs apiece in the seventh and eighth to up their lead to 12-0. Eschberger scored the first run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, scoring Byrd. Two batters later, Mullen brought Hodges home on an RBI single. After a Hymel walk to load the bases, Veith singled to bring in Mullen and Kowalczyk.
In the eighth, the Blazers scoring began with a singly by Kowalczyk to bring in Byrd. After a popout,
Daniel Ammirati singled to bring Hodges home. With the bases loaded, Hymel was hit by a pitch, which brought home Kowalczyk. After a pitching change, Veith fouled out, but it was deep enough for Ammirati to score from third for the Blazers' 12th run.
Tanner Moulder (4-2) had a no hitter going into the eighth inning, when Colton Peacock doubled with one out in the eighth to break the no-hit bid. The senior finished the night pitching eight shutout innings, allowing the one Hardin-Simmons hit and struck out seven.
Richard Richardson struck out the side to end the game for the Cowboys (15-10, 9-5).
On the day, Eschberger went 5-for-8 and had 4 RBIs in the doubleheader sweep, including a perfect game one from the plate. The senior extended his on-base streak to 15 consecutive games.
Mullen extended his hitting streak to seven games, going 3-for-8 with five RBIs. Kowalczyk went 6-for-8 with two RBIs and five runs scored, while Byrd finished 5-for-9 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
Belhaven will wrap up the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m., looking for the series sweep at Hunter Field.
