LAGRANGE, Ga. - After being named the 2023 CCS Pitcher of the Year earlier in the day, Brett Sanchez pitched a complete game, four-hit gem to lead Belhaven to a 2-1 win over Covenant in the opening round of the CCS Tournament on Thursday. The No. 2 seed Blazers improved to 21-16 overall with the win and advanced to the Winner's Bracket Game on Friday. 

Runs came at a premium in Thursday's 2/5 matchup as both starters went the distance for their respective ball clubs. The Blazers were able to manufacture the game's first run in the bottom of the 3rd as Darron Degeyter came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Matthew Charbonnet.

Belhaven's 5th inning at the plate practically mirrored the 3rd as after Degeyter led off with his second single of the game, Charbonnet drove him in a couple batters later with a sac fly to extend the lead to 2-0 after five full.

Covenant plated a run in the top of the 6th, but Sanchez avoided any further trouble by picking off a runner at second. Despite leaving the bases loaded in the 7th, Belhaven clung to a 2-1 lead heading into the final inning. A pair of Scots reached, but a groundout to Dawson Albin left the tying run at second and gave the Blazers a hard-fought 2-1 win. 

Sanchez was masterful on the hill once again for the Blazers, scattering four hits across 9.0 innings while striking out eight. 

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Brett Sanchez (W, 6-2): 9.0 IP, 4 H, 8 K

BELHAVEN HITTING LEADERS

Darron Degeyter: 3-4, 2 R
Caleb Whittle: 2-4, 2 2B

The Blazers are set to take on No. 4 seeded Piedmont, who defeated No. 3 Huntingdon 6-4, tomorrow at 6:00 PM CT. 

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