MARSHALL, Texas - The Belhaven University softball team completed their series against American Southwest Conference opponent East Texas Baptist University. The Blazers late-game heroics led to a 4-2 game three victory and series win over the Tigers on Saturday, April 24.

"Our team had this series circled in our minds from the first day we stepped onto the field in the fall," stated Belhaven Softball Head Coach Kevin Griffin. "ETBU has been the gold standard in our conference and we knew if we wanted to accomplish our goals then we had to play well and find a way to win the series."

The Blazers jumped out to an early lead with a solo run in the third inning as Abby Trahan hit a lead-off single and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Marlee Blackwell. Trahan then advanced to third on a single by Elizabeth Taggard and then scored on a sacrifice foul out by Allie Gordon giving the Blazers the 1-0 lead. The Blazers added another solo run in the fourth inning increased the lead to 2-0 as Haley Hanson hit a two-out single and then later scored on a single by Abby Trahan.

The Tigers tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth; however, the tie would not last as the Blazers responded with a pair of runs in the seventh. Marlee Blackwell led off the inning reaching base due to an error and then Jovi Jones was brought in as a pinch runner. Jones then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Elizabeth Taggard. Allie Gordon then stepped up and took one swing of the bat and deposited her fifth home run of the season over the left field fence and gave the Blazers a 4-2 lead.

"Walking up to the plate, I knew that it was my time," stated Gordon. "I told myself to relax and just get a base hit and keep going down the lineup. As soon as I hit the ball I just started screaming because there is no better feeling than having a clutch hit in a game like this to help the team keep our momentum going."

A three-up-and-three-down bottom of the seventh sealed the third game and series win for the Blazers.

Kennedy Carruth got the start and improved to 18-2 overall with her second win in the series. Carruth allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts.

"I was extremely confident going into this weekend. I knew that this was the weekend that we had been looking forward to since our first practice," said Carruth. "I went out there with the mindset that I could not be beaten. I was determined to win every pitch and every at-bat. The most exciting and relieving part was watching my teammates make the plays behind me. It is a lot less stressful when you know that your teammates have your back!"

"Our pitching was lights out all weekend. I cannot say enough about the job that Kennedy and Bailey did during the series," stated Griffin. "Offensively we did not have a great weekend but when we needed a big hit we got it. Allie came up with a huge home run to put us in the lead and I told her that a moment like that is why I wanted her in my program. She is built for those situations."

The Blazers totaled five hits throughout the contest as Abby Trahan led the way with a 2-for-3 outing, while Elizabeth Taggard, Allie Gordon, and Haley Hanson all had one hit each. Gordon led the team with three RBI, while Trahan had one RBI.

"It cannot go unnoticed what Abby Trahan did this weekend," added Griffin. "She had four big hits and drive in crucial runs. She means so much to this team in ways that do not show up in a boxscore. I am happy for her!"

The Blazers improve to 27-8 overall and 19-5 in ASC play and will finish the 2021 regular season with a road series against ASC foe Louisiana College. The Blazers and Wildcats will start with a single game on Friday, April 30, scheduled to start at 4 p.m., and end the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 1, starting at 12 p.m.

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