JACKSON, Miss.– The Belhaven University softball team defeated the Howard Payne University Yellowjackets by a final score of 9-5 on Friday afternoon to open American Southwest Conference play.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Belhaven 9, Howard Payne 5 

Records: Belhaven 3-0 (1-0, ASC)

Location:  McLeod Field | Jackson, Miss. 

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HOW IT HAPPENED

- The Blazers got off to a hot start in the bottom of the first inning when Allie Gordon singled to left field, which scored Abby Mondy to take an early 1-0 lead. Danielle Darmohray hit a deep sacrifice fly to left field to score Marlee Blackwell to end the first with a 2-0 advantage.

- The Green and Gold held the Yellowjackets in check for the next three innings of play, as it appeared to be a pitcher's duel. Belhaven remained on top of Howard Payne by a score of 2-0 after four complete innings. 

- The Yellowjackets bats came alive in the top of the fifth inning scoring five runs to give them the 5-2 advantage over the Blazers.

- After a single to left field by Allie Gordon, Bailey Root drilled a two-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit down to 5-4.

- Howard Payne was limited to only one hit in the top of the sixth inning, but still held on the 5-4 lead.

-  Brittany Chetta hammered a two-run bomb scoring Brister Curry as the Blazers regained the lead 6-5. After back-to-back hits by Abby Mondy and Marlee Blackwell, third baseman Allie Gordon hit her second homerun of the season to extended the Blazers lead to 9-5.

- The Blazers shut the Yellowjackets down in the top of the seventh inning to earn the 9-5 victory over Howard Payne.
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KEY STATS

Hitting Stats

-      The Blazers tallied 12 hits as a team.

-      Allie Gordon and Bailey Root each tabbed three hits apiece. Gordon added four RBI in the contest, while Root posted two RBI.

-      Brittany Chetta and Abby Mondy had two hits in three at-bats.

-      Brister Curry and Marlee Blackwell each had a hit in the game. 

Pitching Stats

-      Bailey Root started the game and tossed 4.2 innings and gave up only two hits, but received the no-decision.

-      Jordan Self came in on relief and improved to 2-0 in the circle after pitching 2.1 innings and gave up two hits.
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UP NEXT

Belhaven will return to the field Saturday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m to continue game two of the series, as it was suspended due to darkness. Game three will follow at 11:00 a.m.

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