JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University Softball team returned to action by opening their series against the University of the Ozarks on Thursday, April 1. The Blazers took the series opener by a final of 11-3.

The Blazers scored a run in every inning of play during the game as they started with a solo run in the first inning with Marlee Blackwell hitting a lead-off single and later scoring on a double by Allie Gordon giving the Blazers an early 1-0 lead. The second inning was the biggest inning for the Blazers as they batted around the lineup and plated four runs in the inning as Haley Hanson started the inning being hit by the pitcher and then Anna McNeer followed that up with a single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Maci Brabham then reached on a fielder's choice as McNeer was out on the play. Hanson then scored on a single by Abby Trahan, while Marlee Blackwell then loaded the bases with a single. Brabham then scored as Elizabeth Taggard was hit by the pitcher, while Trahan scored on a single by Kennedy Carruth and Blackwell scored as Allie Gordon reached on a fielder's choice increasing the Blazers lead to 5-0.

The Blazers added a solo run in the third inning as Anna McNeer hit a lead-off single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maci Brabham, McNeer then scored on a single by Abby Trahan increasing the Blazers lead to 6-0. The Blazers added a pair of runs in the sixth as Allie Gordon got the offense going with a one out single and later advanced to second on a single by Haley Hanson. Gordon then scored on a single by Anna McNeer, while Hanson then scored on a single by Marissa Rice giving the Blazers an 8-0 lead.

The Eagles plated all three of their runs in the top of the fifth inning, but a three run bottom half for the Blazers ended the game in five innings as Abby Trahan started the inning with a single and then was out at second as Marlee Blackwell reached on a fielder's choice. Elizabeth Taggard then added two runs on one swing of the bat as she crushed her third home run of the season while Kennedy Carruth and Allie Gordon followed with back-to-back singles. Carruth later scored on a single by Haley Hanson sealing the Blazers 11-3 win in game one.

Kennedy Carruth got the start in the circle for the Blazers and picked up the win improving to 11-2 overall. Carruth pitched four and one-third innings allowing no runs on two hits and one walk with nine strikeouts. Jovi Jones pitched two-thirds of an inning in a relief appearance allowing three runs, all unearned, with three walks. The Blazers offense tallied 17 hits during the contest as Anna McNeer and Abby Trahan both went 3-for-3 at the plate while Allie Gordon added three hits throughout the contest. Marlee Blackwell, Kennedy Carruth, and Haley Hanson added two hits each with Elizabeth Taggard and Marissa Rice adding one hit apiece. Taggard had three RBI during the contest while Gordon and Trahan had two RBI apiece. Carruth, Hanson, McNeer, and Rice had one RBI each.

The Blazers improve to 18-6 overall and 10-3 in ASC play and will finish up their series against the Eagles with a doubleheader on Friday, April 2. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.

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