DEMOREST, Ga. - The No. 8 ranked Belhaven Baseball team dropped a tight 2-1 decision to Piedmont on Thursday evening at Loudermilk Field in the opening game of a three-game series played over three consecutive days.  

The Blazers move to 17-5 on the year after a well-pitched game on both sides that was ultimately decided by a pair of small moments late.

Belhaven threatened early but could not break through in the opening innings. The Blazers put runners on in each of the first three frames, including a second-inning opportunity with two on, but were unable to capitalize.

On the other side, Gunner Staten worked through early traffic and kept Piedmont off the board. In the second inning, Piedmont moved runners to second and third with one out, but Staten induced a groundout and a flyout to escape the jam and keep the game scoreless.  

Piedmont broke through in the fourth with a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead. Despite allowing the run, Staten responded by retiring the next two hitters to limit further damage and keep Belhaven within one.  

Belhaven evened things up in the fifth thanks to one swing.

Chess Parker led off the inning with a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 1-1 and giving the Blazers a spark offensively.  

The Blazers had a chance to add more in the inning after a walk and a runner advancing to third, but a pair of groundouts ended the threat.

Piedmont regained the lead in the sixth, capitalizing on a key mistake. After a leadoff walk and a defensive error allowed a runner to advance to third, a groundout brought in what proved to be the game-winning run.  

Belhaven turned to Caleb Menard out of the bullpen, and the right-hander delivered. Menard closed the inning and went on to throw 2.2 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit while striking out two to keep the deficit at one.  

The Blazers continued to push late.

In the seventh, Parker reached and stole second to move into scoring position, but a pair of outs left him stranded. Belhaven threatened again in the eighth when Austin Canale singled to start the inning, but a double play erased the opportunity.  

In the ninth, Owen Abney delivered a one-out single to bring the tying run aboard, but Piedmont's closer shut the door with back-to-back outs to end the game.

Staten (3-1) took his first loss of the season despite a strong outing, allowing just two runs, one earned, over 5.1 innings. Menard was sharp in relief, keeping the Blazers within striking distance into the late innings.  

Belhaven will look to even the series on Friday as the Blazers continue their three-game set against Piedmont. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM.

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.