MARSHALL, Texas - The Belhaven Softball team knocked off Fontbonne University on Thursday in the Blazers' opening game at the 2022 NCAA Regional hosted on the campus of ETBU. The top-seeded Blazers took down the fourth-seeded Griffins 8-2 behind a couple of big innings at the plate. 

Belhaven opened the game in quick fashion defensively with Kennedy Carruth setting down the Griffins, who were the visitors in the game, in order with a three up, three down inning. Shortly thereafter, Belhaven's bats fired off to a quick start as well with the Blazers putting up three runs in the bottom of the 1st inning.

In the frame, two runs came off Allie Gordon's two-run homer to left field which scored Haley Hanson, Gordon's 10th home run of the season. After a pair of walks were issued to Ellie Jones and Sydney Runnels in the same inning, Macy Ziskin then doubled to left field and drove in another run for Belhaven. 

Fontbonne was quick to hit back though as the Griffin's loaded the bases in the top of the 2nd inning and eventually worked across a pair of runs that would cut the Blazers' lead back down to one heading to the home half of the 2nd frame. 

In the bottom of the 2nd, Marlee Blackwell worked a walk and was pinch run for by Jordan Kanipe who quickly swiped second base and advanced to third on an error. Kanipe then came across to score and put Belhaven in front 4-2 as Allie Gordon grabbed her third RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly. 

Holding Fontbonne quiet in the 3rd frame, Belhaven put together a big inning at the plate strike for four runs and opening up a six-run gap on the Griffins. The scoring started in the frame when Abby Trahan was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Then Marlee Blackwell delivered a base hit that scored a pair of runs and put the Blazers in fron 7-2 before Haley Hanson grabbed a double that scored another run. 

Gracey Baucom reentered the game in the circle in the 4th inning and make quick work of the Griffins setting down the visitors in order before then pitching around a one-out single in the top of the 5th inning to strand a Fontbonne baserunner at third base. 

While Belhaven was held quiet for the back half of the game, Dallas Blaker entered the game to pitch and after giving up a lead off single in the top of the 6th, got the Griffins to go quickly to keep the Blazers in front 8-2. In the final frame, Blaker gave up just a base hit with one-out but once again avoided any damage as Belhaven moved to 1-0 on the weekend and set themselves up in the winner's bracket for tomorrow's action.

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Kennedy Carruth (W, 24-3): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 K
Gracey Baucom: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R
Dallas Blaker: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Allie Gordon: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
Haley Hanson: 2-3, 2 2B, BB, RBI
Macy Ziskin: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Marlee Blackwell: 1-3, 2 RBI

With the win, Belhaven will take on ASC rival, ETBU, who are the 2nd seed in the tournament and knocked off Linfield 7-2 in the regional opener. The Blazers and Tigers will square off tomorrow at 12 PM with the winner advancing to the regional final. 

To view the Marshall Regional bracket click here. 

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