CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Belhaven Softball team came up short in their first game today against the ETBU Tigers by a final scoreline of 3-2, but bounced back with a 7-3 win in an elimination game against Hardin-Simmons University to advance to the American Southwest Conference Championship.

GAME ONE

In the first game of the day it was the visitors who took the early lead as they grabbed a run in the top of the 1st inning after a RBI single that gave ETBU the early 1-0 lead. In the second and third inning neither team scored, but the Blazers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Haley Hanson scored the first Belhaven run on an RBI double from Ellie Jones before Jones came around to score later in the frame on a passed ball to make the score 2-1 after four complete innings.

The Tigers leveled the score on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning and after a scoreless sixth inning ETBU stole home to gain the 3-2 advantage. The Tigers would go on and take the 3-2 victory over Belhaven to advance to the ASC Championship and force the Blazers to an elimination game against Hardin Simmons. 

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Kennedy Carruth (L, 21-3) - 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 6 K

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Ellie Jones - 1-2, 2B, RBI, R
Kennedy Carruth - 1-2, BB

GAME TWO

The Blazers offense got off to a hot start after Ellie Jones reached on a fielder's choice that scored Haley Hanson from third base. Still in the first inning, Sydney Runnels roped a RBI single that scored  Allie Gordon and with the bases loaded Carley Ingle was hit-by-pitch that scored Kennedy Carruth as the Blazers took the 3-0 lead. 

After a scoreless second inning, the Cowgirls scored two runs in the top of the second inning to cut the lead to 3-2. The Blazers quickly regained the momentum after Macy Ziskin reached base on a muffed throw that scored Carruth to make the score 4-2. Abby Trahan also scored in the second off of a throwing error and a failed pick off attempt as the Blazers take a 5-2 lead over the Cowgirls. 

Sydney Runnels hit a RBI single to right field that scored Haley Hanson to give the Blazers the commanding 7-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hardin Simmons got a run back off of a solo home run to left field to cut the lead to 7-3. The Blazers defense held strong for the remainder of the contest as they took the game by a final score of 7-3 to eliminate the Cowgirls from the tournament. With the win, the Blazers advance to the ASC Softball Championship. 

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Gracey Baucom (W, 11-3) - 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 K
Dallas Blaker (S,1) - 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1K

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Haley Hanson - 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 R
Sydney Runnels - 2-3, BB, 2 RBI
Allie Gordon - 2-4, 2B, R
Macy Ziskin - 1-2, R

Belhaven will be back in action on Sunday, May 8 against the East Texas Baptist University Tigers in the American Southwest Conference Softball Championship. The Blazers will have to defeat the Tigers twice in order to win the Conference Championship. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. 

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