Austin, Texas - The Belhaven Softball team completed a sweep of the Concordia Tornados with an 11-5 victory in the third game of the Blazers American Southwest Conference opening series on Saturday, February 22.

"I'm proud of the way our girls competed this weekend," stated Blazers Head Coach Kevin Griffin. "We have a lot of new faces and along with that comes a new focus and new attitude. We talk about being better today than we were yesterday and I feel like we are buying in to that philosophy."

The Blazers found themselves in a similar spot from games one and two as the Tornados took a 1-0 lead after the bottom of the first inning. The Blazers responded by equalizing the game in the top of the third inning as junior catcher Marissa Rice led off with a walk. Sophomore catcher Elizabeth Platt then pinch ran for Rice and was moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior shortstop Abby Mondy. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Platt then scored on an RBI groundout by senior outfielder Marlee Blackwell making the score 1-1.

The Tornados regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third; however, the lead was short-lived as the Blazers once again knotted up the game in the top of the fourth. Junior outfielder Abby Trahan reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and third, then scored on a single by freshman second baseman May Hebert. Junior outfielder Keirra Fair was brought in as pinch runner for Hebert, she then stole second, and scored on a single by senior pitcher Bailey Root making the score 3-3.

The score remained tied until the seventh inning when the Blazers exploded for eight runs as junior shortstop Sarah Depperschmidt led off with a single in a pinch hit appearance for Mondy. Depperscmidt then advanced to second on a single by Blackwell. Mondy then re-entered the game as freshman outfielder Madison Miller reached on a bunt single advancing both Mondy and Blackwell. After senior first baseman Brittany Chetta was brought in as a pinch runner for Blackwell, Mondy scored on a single by sophomore third baseman Allie Gordon giving the Blazers a 4-3 lead. Miller, Chetta, and Gordon all scored on a single by junior first baseman Elizabeth Taggard, who then advanced to third on a fielding error. Taggard then scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder Haley Hanson increasing the Blazers lead to 8-3. The Blazers loaded the bases as Hebert walked, followed up by back-to-back singles by sophomore catcher Carley Ingle and Mondy. Blackwell then hit a bases clearing double scoring Hebert, Ingle, and Mondy giving the Blazers an 11-3 lead.

"Our big bats really haven't got it going yet, but we had a number of timely clutch hits in key situations throughout the weekend," said Griffin. "Once everyone gets on track at the same time, we can be a dangerous opponent for anyone we play."

The Tornados added on two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but a game ending double play sealed the 11-5 victory for the Blazers.

Senior Kassie Shipley got the start for the Blazers and pitched three innings allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits with one strikeout and one walk in a no-decision effort. Junior Hannah Finley picked up the win, pitching three no-hit innings of relief work allowing one free pass on a hit-by-pitch. Senior Mariah Sosa faced three batters allowing two runs, both earned, on one hit with one walk, and one hit-by-pitch as junior Dallas Blaker pitched one inning of relief allowing one hit with one walk and one strikeout.

"We got great pitching all weekend and it's great to have the depth to be able to go to someone new at any point in the game, added Griffin. "We've done a great job of pitching to contact and limiting walks.  Our defense was stellar as well."

The Blazers improve to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in ASC play and will return to action this week with their home opener against cross-town rival Millsaps College Majors on Tuesday, February 25, at 2 p.m. The Blazers will the host the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Cru in ASC play with a double-header on Friday, February 28, starting at 1 p.m., then a single game on Saturday, February 29, starting at 12 p.m.

"This week will be a tough test with Millsaps on Tuesday and Mary Hardin Baylor next weekend," stated Griffin. "We are looking forward to being at home."

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