JACKSON, Miss. - The No. 6 Belhaven Softball team opened the 2023 campaign as they split the doubleheader with No. 5 Berry at Jim McLeod Field on Saturday. The Blazers dropped Game 1 in nine innings 5-4 before bouncing back for a 6-1 win in Game 2.

GAME ONE

The visitors scored first in the second inning to take an early lead, but the Blazers answered in the bottom half on an RBI infield single from Madi Miller. Belhaven broke the tie in the fifth on an Anna McNeer base hit, and she came around to score later in the inning to extend the lead to 3-1.
 
Berry drew even in the top of the seventh with a two-run homer to send the contest into extra innings. The Vikings plated two in the ninth to take a 5-3 lead. The Blazers scored a run in the bottom half and were able to get the tying run to third, but a flyout gave Berry a 5-4 victory.

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Kennedy Carruth: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 10 K
Gracey Baucom (L, 0-1): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 K

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Madi Miller: 2-5, RBI
Allie Gordon: 2-4, R
Anna McNeer: 2-4, RBI, R

GAME TWO

The Blazers got the scoring started in the second with RBI singles from Macy Ziskin, Madi Miller, and Allie Gordon. An error allowed Belhaven to score their fourth run of the frame to take control early.
 
Berry got on the board in the third with an RBI double, but the Blazers continued to tack on runs with two in the fifth to secure the 6-1 win.

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Gracey Baucom (W, 1-1): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 K (CG)

BELHAVEN BATTING LEADERS

Madi Miller: 2-4, RBI, SB
Allie Gordon: 2-4, RBI
Macy Ziskin: 2-3, R, RBI, SB

The Blazers return to McLeod Field next Saturday, February 25th for a doubleheader with Millsaps. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 12 PM.

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