MARYVILLE, Tenn. - The Belhaven Baseball team delivered a commanding performance on Thursday night at Scotland Yard, routing Piedmont by a final score of 9–1 to punch their ticket into Friday night's CCS Tournament semifinal.
From the very first inning, the Blazers set the tone. After leadoff hitter JD Weed was hit by a pitch and advanced on a balk, Nick Thornton put Belhaven on the board with an RBI double to left center. The junior designated hitter was a force all night, going 3-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI.
Belhaven extended its lead in the third with another big hit from Thornton, who drove in two more runs with his second double of the night, giving the Blazers a 3–0 advantage. The fifth inning proved pivotal as Belhaven piled on three more runs, highlighted by yet another RBI double from Thornton and a sacrifice fly from Blake McCarthy.
Pitching was equally dominant for the Blazers. Starter Colton Sylvester scattered four hits and allowed just one run over 5.1 innings, while southpaw Lane Alack was lights out in relief, earning his fifth save of the season with 3.2 innings of one-hit ball and six strikeouts.
Key Performers
Nick Thornton: 3-5, 3 2B, 4 RBI, R
Hunter Harrell: 2-5, 2 R, SB
Tristan Pearson: 2-3, RBI, 2 R, BB, HBP,
Colton Sylvester (W, 7-2): 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 K
Lane Alack (S, 5): 3.2, 1 H, 6 K
The Blazers are now the lone team remaining without a loss heading into Friday and will await the winner of Piedmont and Maryville at 6:00 PM CT.
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