JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven dropped a tight, low-scoring game to Millsaps on Tuesday night, falling 3-1 at the McLeod Field. The Blazers move to 5-4 on the year following the midweek contest.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings as the pitchers controlled the tempo early.

Millsaps threatened in the opening frame after a hit batter, but the Blazers erased the runner with a caught stealing and a groundout to keep the game even at 0-0. In the second, Belhaven put together its first opportunity when Maryanna Guy doubled down the left field line and Liberty Gillihan drew a walk. However, a fielder's choice erased the lead runner at third and the Blazers were unable to capitalize.

Grace Langston sparked the offense in the third with a single up the middle and a stolen base to move into scoring position. After advancing to third on a groundout, Belhaven again came up just short as a lineout ended the threat.

The game shifted in the fourth inning. Millsaps opened the frame with back-to-back-to-back singles, and after a pitching change, a sacrifice fly brought home a run, and a throwing error during the play allowed two more runs to score, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead. All three runs in the inning were unearned.

Belhaven had chances to answer. Ellie Williamson singled in the bottom of the fourth, and the Blazers put two runners on in the fifth after a walk by Emma Moore and a single from Langston. With runners at the corners and one out, Millsaps escaped the jam with a pop up and a fielder's choice to preserve the three-run advantage.

In the circle, AR Sharp was strong in relief, tossing 4.0 innings and allowing just one hit while striking out five to keep Belhaven within striking distance. Sharp worked out of a fifth-inning situation after a leadoff error and stolen base, retiring three straight to strand the runner in scoring position. She also navigated a seventh-inning walk with two strikeouts to keep the deficit at three.

Belhaven finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. After two quick outs, Melissa Lopera delivered a solo home run to left field to cut the lead to 3-1. Reagan Bryan followed with a walk to bring the tying run to the plate, but a flyout to center field ended the comeback bid.

The Blazers and Millsaps each finished with five hits on the night, while Belhaven committed two errors compared to none for the visitors. Lopera led the way offensively with her home run, while Langston added two hits and a stolen base.

Belhaven will look to bounce back in its next outing as the Blazers continue their early-season slate later next week at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

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