JACKSON, Miss - The Belhaven Baseball team fell to the Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers Monday night by a final score of 15-12 in ten innings. The Pioneers defeated the Blazers for the second straight game in extra innings, claiming the series two games to one.

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INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Wisconsin-Platteville 15 | Belhaven University 12 (10 Innings)

Records: WP 4-10 | BU 6-16

Location: Smith Wills Stadium | Jackson, Miss.

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HOW IT HAPPENED

- The Blazers quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead with two runs coming in the first inning and three more runs in the second inning. Trip Benson contributed with three of the five runs in the first two innings with an RBI fielder choice in the first inning and a two-RBI single in the second.

- The Pioneers utilized the fourth and six innings to rally back from a 5-0 deficit and tie the ballgame up at 5-5. 

- Senior Kreg Garner blasted his third home run of the season, a solo shot, over the right field wall giving the Blazers a 6-5 advantage in the sixth inning. 

- In the top of the seventh inning, Wisconsin-Platteville's Ryan Vogel doubled to left center field, scoring two runs and giving the Pioneers the lead, 7-6. It was the Pioneers first lead of the night.

- MJ Ranieri helped the Pioneers extend its lead to 8-6 in the seventh inning after earning an RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field.

- Down 8-6, a Will Costinett sac fly to centerfield scored Evan Moore from third base. The run trimmed the Pioneer lead to 8-7.

- Antoine Watts delivered a full count, two-out pitch to the right-field wall, earning an RBI double and helping the Blazers tie the ballgame up at 8-8.

- In extras, the Pioneers worked deep into the Blazers bullpen, scoring seven runs to take a 15-8 lead in the tenth inning.

- Yet, the Blazers collected six hits in eight batters, including three doubles, three singles, and scoring four runs to cut the deficit to 15-12.

- With runners at the corners, two outs, a full count, and down by three, the Blazers would strike out to end the ballgame falling by a final score of 15-12 in ten innings. The Blazers fell to 6-16 on the season.

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KEY STATISTICS

- Colton Fontana, Trip Benson, and Antoine Watts each collected two hits in the contest. Trip Benson finished with four RBIs.

- Kreg Garner hit his third home run of the season. He finished 1-for-2, HR, three hit by pitches, a walk, and three runs scored.

- Will Costinett ended his night with three RBIs. 

- Belhaven had 14 hits in the game and 41 hits in the series. The Blazers also finished a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases in the contest.

- Nine different pitchers threw for the Blazers in game three, striking out eleven batters as a staff.

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UP NEXT

The Blazers will return to the diamond on Thursday, March 29 for a doubleheader matchup versus ASC opponent East Texas Baptist University in what will be the first two games of a three-game series. Game one is set for 4:00 p.m. with game two to follow. Starting pitcher David Hall will start game one with Hunter Sanford expected to follow up in game two. Game three of the series will begin on Friday with a start time to be announced.

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