MARSHALL, Texas - The Belhaven Softball team rallied in the top of the 7th inning to come from behind and take down Texas Lutheran in the opening game of the Marshall Regional on Thursday.

The game, which finished 2-1 in favor of the Blazers, was a pitcher's duel early with offense hard to come by for both teams. Kennedy Carruth was dominant in the circle holding the 2nd-seeded Bulldogs hitless through the first four frames. However the Blazers offense was unable to break the deadlock as well despite a handful of hits spread across the opening frames.

Texas Lutheran would find the breakthrough in the 5th as their first hit of the game was a solo home run that gave them the lead. The Bulldogs held that lead through the 6th inning setting the Blazers up with one final chance to try to extend the game.

With one out in the 7th, Katie Jo Richardson pinch hit for Belhaven and lined a single to straight away center field putting the tying run aboard. A fielder's choice put Madi Miller on base with two outs representing the tying run. An infield single by Allie Gordon put Miller in scoring position with Gordon representing the go-ahead run.

Kennedy Carruth then came up with a big two-out hit and on the play, a throwing error saw the ball get past the catcher scoring Madi Miller from third. Capitalizing on the break, Ellie Jones then delivered an RBI single to give Belhaven the lead and the Blazers slammed the door shut in the 7th en route to the 2-1 win.

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Kennedy Carruth (W, 18-4): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 9 K

BELHAVEN HITTERS

Sydney Runnels: 3-3
Ellie Jones: 1-4, RBI
Kennedy Carruth: 1-4
Allie Gordon: 1-4, R

The Blazers now will take on host East Texas Baptist University on Friday at noon in the winner's bracket game. The winner of Friday's game advances to the Regional Final on Saturday.

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