JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University Softball team played host to a Top 25 matchup in a doubleheader against the ninth-ranked Berry College Vikings on Saturday, March 13, as the Blazers won game one 8-1, while the Vikings took game two, 14-3.

GAME ONE

The Blazers got the scoring started with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning as Cade Bass hit a lead-off single and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Anna McNeer. Alayna Adams then singled advancing Bass to third, while both Bass and Adams later scored on a single by Abby Trahan giving the Blazers a 2-0 lead. A solo home run in the top of the fourth for the Vikings cut the Blazers lead to 2-1; however, the Blazers responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning as Anna McNeer and Alayna Adams hit back-to-back singles to get the offense going. Abby Trahan later drew a walk to load the bases and then McNeer and Adams scored on a single by Marlee Blackwell. Elizabeth Taggard then drew a walk to load the bases once again for the Blazers, as Allie Gordon was also walked scoring Trahan. Kennedy Carruth then reached on a fielder's choice scoring Elizabeth Platt who was pinch running for Blackwell giving the Blazers a 6-1 lead.

The Blazers plated their final two runs in the sixth inning as Marlee Blackwell hit a two-out single followed by a double by Elizabeth Taggard. Blackwell then scored on a single by Allie Gordon as Taggard scored on a single by Kennedy Carruth increasing the Blazers lead to 8-1. A three-up-and-three-down top of the seventh by the Vikings sealed the 8-1 win for the Blazers.

Kennedy Carruth got the start in the circle for the Blazers and got her seventh complete game and win of the season (7-1). Carruth allowed one run on three hits, one walk, and 14 strikeouts which ties the mark set by Sara Burns in 2010 against Park University. The Blazers totaled 11 hits during the game as Marlee Blackwell, Elizabeth Taggard, and Alayna Adams all had two hits each, while Allie Gordon, Kennedy Carruth, Cade Bass, Anna McNeer, and Abby Trahan had one hit apiece. Blackwell, Gordon, and Trahan all had two RBIs, with Carruth adding one RBI during the game.

GAME TWO

The second game saw the Vikings seize momentum early as they plated three runs in the top of the first inning. The Vikings then added five runs in the third inning, two runs in the fifth inning, and four runs in the sixth inning as the Blazers scored a pair of runs in the third and a solo run in the fourth.

Kennedy Carruth got the start also in game two for the Blazers and only pitched two-third of an inning picking up her second loss of the season (7-2). Carruth allowed three runs on five hits with one strikeout. Jovi Jones pitched two innings of relief allowing five runs on five hits with two walks, while Bailey Root pitched five innings in a relief appearance. Root allowed six runs, five earned, on six hits with three walks, and two strikeouts. Abigail Prescott pitched one third of an inning retiring the only batter she faced in the relief appearance. Allie Gordon had two of the five hits for the Blazers during the game while Marlee Blackwell, Kennedy Carruth, and Marissa Rice accounted for the other three. Blackwell and McNeer had one RBI each during the game.

The Blazers are now 13-4 overall and will return to action with a home series against American Southwest Conference foe Howard Payne University. The Blazers and Yellow Jackets will start the series with a doubleheader on Friday, March 19. The games are set for start times of 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

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