ATLANTA, GA. - Following a dominant weekend on the mound, Belhaven sophomore left-hander Gunner Staten has been named the Collegiate Conference of the South Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday. It marks the first career CCS Pitcher of the Week honor for Staten.

Staten played a pivotal role in Belhaven's series sweep of No. 25 East Texas Baptist at Trustmark Park, earning the win in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. The Kentwood, Louisiana native delivered five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five to keep the nationally-ranked Tigers off the board.

In a tightly-contested matchup that followed Friday's 6-3 victory, Staten set the tone early. He worked around a leadoff walk in the first inning and stranded a runner in scoring position in the third. In the fourth, he navigated traffic after a two-out walk, inducing a flyout to preserve the shutout.

With the Blazers holding a slim 2-0 lead in the middle innings, Staten continued to attack the strike zone and generate weak contact. He retired nine of the final 11 batters he faced, handing the ball to the bullpen with the Blazers in control. Belhaven went on to secure the 3-1 victory before finishing off the sweep with a 10-0 shutout in the nightcap.

Over the course of the three-game set, the Blazers limited ETBU to just four total runs while outscoring the Tigers 19-4.

Belhaven will look to carry the momentum from its series sweep into its next game as the Blazers continue their homestand with a game vs. Hardin-Simmons on Friday. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM.

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