PEARL, Miss. – The Belhaven University baseball team opened its 2026 campaign with a 5-1 victory over MUW Tuesday night at Trustmark Park.
Belhaven (1-0) scored in three different innings and received a strong outing from starter Michael Scott to secure the season-opening win and the first victory under new Head Coach, Patrick Robey.
The Blazers wasted little time getting on the board in the first. After a double and a walk set the table, freshman Jake McCann delivered the big swing with a two-run triple to right field, plating Nick Thornton and Blake McCarthy for a 2-0 lead.
Belhaven added another run in the third. Thornton reached and moved into scoring position before McCann struck again, lining an RBI single down the left field line to push the advantage to 3-0.
Scott (1-0) was sharp in his five innings of work, allowing just three hits while striking out five and walking one. He kept MUW off balance throughout his outing before turning the game over to the bullpen. Shawn Mitchell-Harvard, Sage Rivere and Cooper Sirk combined to hold the visitors scoreless through the eighth inning.
The Blazers created insurance in the seventh inning. After a walk and a hit-by-pitch put runners aboard, a wild pitch brought home Austin Canale. Moments later, McCarthy lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Thornton and extend the lead to 5-0.
MUW (2-2) broke up the shutout bid in the ninth on a solo home run from Bryson Barnes, but Brandon Rhodes closed the door to secure the 5-1 final.
McCann paced the Belhaven offense with a 4-for-4 night, finishing with three RBI. JD Weed added two hits, while Thornton scored three of the Blazers' five runs.
Belhaven finished with eight hits and did not commit an error defensively in a clean Opening NIght win.
The Blazers will look to build on the strong opening performance as they continue their early-season slate this week when they host ETBU for a weekend series.
For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. To support Belhaven Athletics check out Team Green Giving.
