FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The No. 4 Belhaven Baseball team saw its undefeated start come to an end Wednesday afternoon, falling 15-10 to Methodist at Armstrong-Shelley Field. The Blazers now sit at 12-1 on the season.

Despite an early nine-run deficit, Belhaven battled back with several rallies and trimmed the margin to four late in the game before the Monarchs added an insurance run in the eighth to secure the win.

Methodist took control of the game in the bottom of the first inning, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs.

After two early singles put runners on base, Blake Freeman delivered a three-run home run to right center to open the scoring. Later in the inning, Bronson Shaikh drove in another run with a single before Austin Rinzel added a two-run single. Israel Ortiz followed with a two-RBI double down the right field line as the Monarchs built a 9-0 lead before Belhaven recorded the third out.

Belhaven began to chip away in the third inning. Trey Smith was hit by a pitch to start the frame and moved to third after a single from Austin Canale. Smith later scored on a double play ball before Canale came home on a wild pitch to make it 9-2.

Methodist responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 11-2.

The Blazers continued to fight back in the fifth. Smith worked a walk and later scored on a throwing error following a fielder's choice by Canale. Hayden Roberts followed with a single to left before JD Weed drew a bases-loaded walk that brought home another run to cut the deficit to 11-4.

Belhaven's pitching staff then helped keep the game within reach. Caleb Johnson and Logan Gruber combined for scoreless relief innings while working around traffic, helping the Blazers maintain momentum heading into the middle innings.

Belhaven's biggest rally came in the sixth inning. After Jake McCann reached on an error and Smith walked, Canale worked another walk to load the bases. Roberts delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle to bring the Blazers within five.

Moments later, Blake McCarthy lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score another run before Parker Ryan blasted a two-run home run to right center, capping a five-run inning that pulled Belhaven within 11-9.

Methodist answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, including a run that scored on a balk followed by an RBI single to extend the lead back to four.

Belhaven added another run in the eighth inning when Smith launched a solo home run to right field, his first of the afternoon, trimming the deficit to 13-10.

Methodist responded again in the bottom half with a run on a wild pitch before holding the Blazers scoreless over the final two innings to end the game.

Belhaven will look to bounce back as the Blazers continue their road trip later this week with a trip to Berry College for the Berry Invitational. Despite the loss, Belhaven remains 12-1 overall and is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest D3Baseball.com national poll.

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