JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Softball team opened up their ASC series against Hardin Simmons on Thursday with a 8-2 win over the Cowgirls as the Blazers improved to 26-5 on the year and 18-4 in conference play.

Kennedy Carruth got the start in the circle for the Blazers and opened up the game sitting down the first three batters she faced. The Blazers got the first run of the game when Kennedy Carruth hit a RBI single that scored Eliie Jones to give BU the early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Sydney Runnels hit a 3-run home run that scored Abby Trahan and Macy Ziskin to extend the Blazers' lead to 4-0.

After a scoreless third inning by both teams, Hardin-Simmons hit a solo shot to left field to give the Cowgirls their first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. HSU tacked on another run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 4-2.
 Carruth answered in the bottom half of the frame with a solo shot to left field to extend the lead to 5-2.

Allie Gordon had a RBI single and Ellie Jones stole home to give the Blazers the 7-2 advantage. Marlee Blackwell drove in the final run of the contest with a RBI single that scored Jordan Kanipe. The Blazers had 13 hits in the contest to defeat the Cowgirls 8-2 in the series opener. 

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Kennedy Carruth (W, 17-2) - 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 11 K

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Ellie Jones - 3-4, 2B, 3 SB, 2 R
Sydney Runnels - 1-3, HR (2), 3 RBI
Kennedy Carruth - 2-3, HR (4), 2 RBI
Haley Hanson - 3-4, 2B

Belhaven and Hardin-Simmons will wrap up their series on Friday when they square off in a doubleheader set to start at 11 AM.

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.