DEMOREST, Ga. - The No. 8 ranked Belhaven Baseball team closed out its three-game road series against Piedmont with a 7-2 setback on Saturday afternoon at Loudermilk Field.  

Piedmont struck first in the opening inning, using a leadoff single, stolen base and a groundout to take a 1-0 lead.

The game turned in the third inning, where Piedmont capitalized on a two-out rally. After a single and a walk extended the inning, a run-scoring hit pushed the lead to 2-0 before a grand slam to left field broke the game open at 6-0.  

Starter Kaleb Smith was able to limit further damage, but the five-run frame proved to be the difference.

Belhaven chipped away in the fourth. Nick Thornton worked a leadoff walk and came around to score on a double to right-center from Austin Canale, putting the Blazers on the board and cutting the deficit to 6-1.  

The Blazers added another run in the fifth with solid situational offense.

After a leadoff double from Trey Smith and a walk, Belhaven loaded the bases. Blake McCarthy delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home a run and make it 6-2.  

Belhaven continued to threaten, putting multiple runners on base in both the fifth and seventh innings, but were unable to come up with the timely hit to close the gap.

The Belhaven bullpen provided a strong effort to keep the game within reach.

Caleb Menard entered in relief and delivered a clean inning, while Hayden Roberts worked three scoreless frames, allowing just two hits and working out of a jam in the sixth by inducing a groundout with runners on base.  

In the seventh, Roberts stranded another runner after a hit batter, keeping the deficit at four.

Piedmont added an insurance run in the eighth following a single and a walk, with an RBI hit pushing the lead to 7-2.  

Belhaven put a runner on in the ninth as Easton Humphrey singled and stole second, but the rally fell short as the Blazers were unable to extend the inning.

Belhaven returns home to Trustmark Park on Tuesday to continue the Cowboy Maloney Series against Millsaps. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM.

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