JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University baseball team split the doubleheader on Friday evening in American Southwest Conference play. The Blazers fell in game one by a final score of 7-3, before winning the second game by a score of 7-6. With the split, the Blazers move to 14-6 overall and 9-2 in conference play.
Game 1
The Lobos opened the first inning scoring three runs to take a quick 3-0 advantage over the Blazers. Sul Ross added two runs in the top of the second inning to bring the score to 5-0. Hunter White got the Green and Gold on the board after a solo shot to left center to make the score 5-1. Belhaven tacked on two additional runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the deficit to two runs with three innings to go. The Lobos added two more runs in the sixth inning and would eventually defeat the Blazers by a final score of 7-3.
Will Swift got the start the on the mound for the Blazers but earned the loss in the contest to move to 2-1 on the season. Evan Moore and Reed Bolton led the Blazers going 2-for-3 from the plate and scored a run in the game. Hunter White had a solo blast in the game and Caleb Whittle added an RBI in the contest. The Blazers finished with three runs on eight hits.
Game 2
The Blazers capitalized first in the first inning from a throwing error by the catcher to give the Blazers the 1-0 advantage. The Lobos' pitcher walked in a run for the Blazers to bring the score to 2-0. In the top of the third inning, the Blazers plated another run after a balk by the pitcher to extend the Blazers lead to 3-0. The Lobos got on the board when Wheeler belted a two run shot the cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning. Trip Benson answered back with a 2-RBI double to bring the score to 5-2. The offense kept rolling for the Blazers as Reed Bolton had a bunt single to score Benson to make the score 6-2. The Lobos had a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to cut the deficit to two runs. Trip Benson then hit a solo shot for the Blazers to bring the score to 7-4. The Lobo hit another 2-run homerun in the top of the ninth, but the Blazers ended the game on a 643 double play to make the final score 7-6.
Brett Sanchez got the start and the win on the bump for the Blazers to stay undefeated on the season. Additionally, Sanchez threw his fourth complete game of the season. McLaughlin led the Blazers going 3-for-4 from the plate and scored two runs in the contest. Trip Benson finished the game with 3 RBI and batted .750 in the game. As a team, the Blazers had seven runs on 12 hits and one error. The Green and Gold also had five stolen bases on the night.
The Blazers will return to field tomorrow March 27 for the rubber match against the Sul Ross State Lobs inside Smith Wills Stadium. The action is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
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