CLINTON, Miss. - The Belhaven Baseball team split their Friday doubleheader with the University of the Ozarks on Friday as the Blazers open up their final home series of the 2022 regular season. Belhaven dropped the opener 7-2 but bounced back with a 6-2 win in the second game of the doubleheader.

GAME ONE

In the series opener the Blazers got off to a strong start with two runs scored in the bottom of the 1st inning, both coming with two outs. Nick Lucido reached on an infield single and then scored on an RBI triple by Dawson Albin. Chase Kitchens then followed with an RBI double down the left field line to score Albin from the third to put BU in front 2-0. 

The visitors answered with a big inning in the top of the 3rd though with a four run frame that jumped Ozarks in front 4-2 in the series opener. In the top of the 5th the Eagles added another run to their lead and despite the Blazers attempts to rally, iced the game with a pair of runs in the 6th. 

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Harris Coleman (L, 5-4): 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 K
Luke Miller: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 K
Preston Canale: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Dawson Albin: 2-3, 3B, RBI, R
Chase Kitchens: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Nick Lucido: 1-3, R

GAME TWO

The second game of the day opened as a pitcher's duel with both starters dominant through the first few frames. Belhaven starter Brett Sanchez made it through three frames without allowing a baserunner while the Belhaven bats had a few hits stranded on base. 

Ozarks got the opening run of the night cap in the top of the 5th inning with an RBI single. Trailing 1-0, Belhaven came up with a big inning in the bottom of the 6th to answer however tying the game after Nick Lucido scored on a throwing error by the Ozarks' pitcher. Then with bases loaded and two outs in the same frame Adam Leonard was able to sneak a hard ground ball through the infield and drove in three runs to put BU up 4-1. 

Belhaven added a pair of insurance runs in the 7th when Nathan Herron swiped home on a wild pitch and then Nick Lucido was able to steal home after a delayed double steal drew a throw down to second base by the Eagles defense. In the top of the 8th the visitors got a run and loaded the bases but reliever Logan Goodreau got an important strikeout to leave the bases loaded.

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Brett Sanchez (W, 6-1): 7.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 7 K
Logan Goodreau (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Nick Lucido: 2-4, RBI, 2 BB, 2 R
Adam Leonard: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Dawson Albin: 2-4, 2B

The Blazers and Eagles will square off in a series finale on Saturday at Frierson Field in Clinton with first pitch set for 1 PM. Senior Day recognition will also occur prior to the game at 12:20 PM. 

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