JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University Softball team played host to the Birmingham-Southern College Panthers for their 2021 home opener on Wednesday, January 24. The Blazers swept the doubleheader over the #18 Panthers taking game one 8-0, and game two, 3-2, and gave head coach Kevin Griffin his 300th career win as the Blazers head coach.

"I'm proud of the way we bounced back today after losing a tough one to them, 5-4, over the weekend," said Griffin. "From the time that game was over, our girls immediately started talking about redeeming themselves and today was great!"

GAME ONE

The Blazers jumped ahead of the Panthers in the bottom of the first inning as they plated four runs as Marlee Blackwell hit a lead-off double and then advanced to third on a groundout by Elizabeth Taggard. Allie Gordon and Kennedy Carruth then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Blackwell and Gordon both scored as Haley Hanson singled up the middle for the first two runs, then Carruth and Hanson scored on a single by Cade Bass to give the Blazers the 4-0 lead.

The Blazers added a pair of runs in both the third inning as Carruth led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a groundout by Hanson. Anna McNeer was hit by a pitch and then Bass reached on an error to load the bases for the Blazers. Carruth and McNeer scored on a single by Alayna Adams making the score 6-0. The Blazer plated their final two runs in the fourth inning as Hanson picked up her third RBI of the game scoring Gordon who had reached earlier in the inning on fielder's choice, while Carrtuh scored on a single by McNeer after reaching on a double giving the Blazers an 8-0 lead. The Panthers had one runner reach base in the top of the fifth, but back-to-back outs ended the inning and sealed the win for the Blazers.

Kennedy Carruth picked up the win and improved to 2-1 on the season. Carruth pitched all five innings for the Blazers allowing just two hits with three strikeouts and one walk. As a team the Blazers had ten hits with Hanson leading the way going 2-of-3 with two singles and three RBIs, while Alayna Adams also went 2-of-3 with two RBIs, and Kennedy Carruth went 2-of-2 at the plate with one walk and three runs scored. Cade Bass, Anna McNeer, Marlee Blackwell, and Elizabeth Taggard accounted for the other four hits for the Blazers.

The win in the first game was the 300 win mark for Coach Griffin, who had this to say about the career milestone.

"We have had so many good players in our program and 300 wins is a credit to every player who believed in me enough to come to Belhaven and every assistant coach we have ever had," stated Griffin. "This milestone is special because of the relationship that I have with my current and former players and coaches. It is even sweeter to get to that mark against a nationally ranked team as part of a sweep!"

GAME TWO

For all the offensive firepower displayed in the first game, the second game was a pitcher's battle with all the runs scored in the same inning for both teams.

Despite some scoring opportunities in the game, neither team could break the deadlock until the fourth inning as the Panthers plated their two runs in the top of the innning. However, the Blazers responded with their three in the bottom half of the inning as Haley Hanson got the offense going with a two-out single followed by Cade Bass drawing a walk. Anna McNeer then changed the game with one swing of the bat that as she belted a home run to straightaway center field, giving the Blazers a 3-2 lead.

"Anna McNeer had a big hit for us in that situation and it obviously came at the right time as it was an eventual game winner," added Griffin. "She is tough on herself, so I was proud for her because she works hard at being a good hitter."

The Panthers managed to get two baserunners in the fifth inning and loaded the bases in the sixth; however, Bailey Root, found a way out of the jam in both innings and then had a three up and three down seventh inning to slam the door on the Panthers and give the Blazers the 3-2 victory. Bailey Root picked up her first win of the season and improved to 1-1. Root pitched a complete game and gave up the two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and six walks.

"Our pitching was phenomenal in both games today. Kennedy and Bailey both worked ahead in the count and did a good job retiring the first batter most inning and limiting walks," Griffin stated. "Our top hitters struggled over our opening weekend, but we a had a great two days of practice where they really bought into showing up and getting better. It paid off today for us."

"Macy Brabham really stepped up and made some great plays for us defensively today," Griffin added. "She played left field in the absence of Abby Trahan whose grandfather passed away and Macy did an outstanding job. Our hearts go out to Abby and her family and these wins were for her!"

The Blazers improve to 4-2 overall and will return to action as they open American Southwest Conference play by hosting the Hardin-Simmons University Cowgirls this weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, February 26, scheduled to start at 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., with a final game played on Saturday, February 27, which is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.

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