ABILENE, Texas - The Belhaven Baseball team notched their first two wins of the 2024 campaign, taking two from Hardin-Simmons on Friday at Hunter Field. The Blazers (2-3) took down the Cowboys (1-4) in extra innings, 4-3, in Game 1. A pinch-hit grand slam in the seventh inning from Trey Flettrich gave Belhaven a 6-5 win in the nightcap.

GAME ONE

Belhaven struck first in the third inning as Noah Foster drew a bases-loaded walk to score the game's first run. Owen Abney pushed another across with an RBI groundout a batter later to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead after three. Belhaven extended the lead in the fifth when Tristan Pearson came around to score after a throwing error on a stolen base. 

With Game 1 originally set for seven innings, Hardin-Simmons plated three in the sixth and seventh to send the game to extras. After a scoreless eighth, Hunter Estes led off the inning by reaching third on a Cowboy error, and Thomas Hollingsworth drove him in with a sacrifice fly to right to regain the lead. Colton Sylvester (1-0) induced a flyout with two on base in the bottom half to secure the win and give Andrew Gipson his first career win as the Blazers' skipper.

Brett Sanchez was once again dominant on the mound for the Blazers, taking a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth inning. The right-hander picked up nine strikeouts and walked just one in seven innings.

Notable Performances

Owen Abney: 2-4, RBI, SB
Jake Tyndall: 2-4, 2B
Thomas Hollingsworth: Game-Winning Sacrifice Fly
Brett Sanchez: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 9 SO
Colton Sylvester (1-0): 2.0 IP, 3 H, SO

GAME TWO

Hardin-Simmons flipped the script in the second game of the day, plating three in the first inning to take an early lead. Cole Fletcher got things going offensively for Belhaven with a leadoff homer in the third. The Blazers tacked on another in the fourth to get within a run midway through the contest.

The hosts got the runs back in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run to take a 5-2 lead. Down to their last out in the seven-inning game, Belhaven loaded the bases after a walk issued to Hunter Harrell.

Trey Flettrich was then called upon to pinch hit against a new HSU arm, and the freshman delivered with a go-ahead grand slam to put Belhaven in front, 6-5. Cooper Williams (S, 1) came on to shut the door in the home half with a pair of strikeouts to complete the comeback for the Blazers.

Notable Performances

Trey Flettrich: 1-1, GS, 4 RBI, R
Cole Fletcher: 1-3, HR, R, RBI
Tristan Pearson: 2-4, 2B, R
Owen Abney: 2-4
Aiden DelaCerda: 2-3, BB
Luke Miller (1-0): 1.0 IP
Cooper Williams (S, 1): 1.0 IP, 2 SO

The Blazers will go for the sweep over the Cowboys tomorrow with first pitch set for 1:00 PM in Abilene, Texas.