LONGVIEW, Texas - The No. 11 ranked Belhaven Baseball team continued its perfect start to the 2026 season on Tuesday night, rallying late to defeat LeTourneau 14-12 at Conrad-Vernon Field. With the win, the Blazers improved to 8-0 on the year and extended their winning streak with yet another comeback victory.
The Blazers wasted little time getting on the board in the first inning.
JD Weed opened the game with a single and advanced into scoring position before
Nick Thornton drove him home with an RBI groundout. Later in the frame,
Parker Ryan was hit by a pitch and
Austin Canale followed with a two-run home run to left center, giving Belhaven an early 3-0 lead.
LeTourneau answered in the bottom of the second with a six-run inning highlighted by several extra-base hits and a two-run home run from Blake Vice, giving the YellowJackets a 6-3 advantage.
Belhaven quickly swung the momentum back in its favor in the third inning. Ryan drew a walk and Canale was hit by a pitch to start the rally before
Chess Parker delivered a two-RBI triple down the right field line to cut the deficit to one.
Two batters later,
Owen Abney launched a two-run home run to right center to put the Blazers back in front.
Brayden Thompson then followed with a solo home run down the left field line as Belhaven plated five runs in the inning to take an 8-6 lead.
LeTourneau continued to fight back, tying the game in the fourth on a three-run homer from Jonah McDaniel.
Belhaven briefly regained the lead in the top of the fourth when
Blake McCarthy singled and moved into scoring position before Ryan's groundout brought him home to make it 9-6.
The YellowJackets again surged ahead in the middle innings. A run scored on a wild pitch in the fifth, and LeTourneau added two more in the sixth, including a sacrifice fly and a run that came across following a defensive miscue, giving the home team a 12-9 lead.
Trailing by three entering the eighth, Belhaven delivered the decisive rally.
Weed was hit by a pitch to start the inning before Thornton reached on a fielder's choice. McCarthy followed with an RBI single to center field to bring the Blazers within two. Moments later, Ryan blasted a three-run home run to right field, flipping the score and putting Belhaven back in front at 13-12. The Blazers added an insurance run in the ninth when Thompson walked, stole second, and later scored on Thornton's RBI single to stretch the lead to 14-12.
Belhaven's bullpen delivered key moments late in the game to preserve the comeback.
Cooper Sirk earned the win with a scoreless seventh inning, striking out two and retiring the side.
Caleb Menard followed with a clean eighth inning, working around a walk to keep the one-run lead intact.
In the ninth,
John Wade entered with runners on base and calmly closed the door, recording the final outs to secure his third save of the season.
Belhaven's lineup continued its recent surge, finishing with 11 hits and drawing four walks while also being hit by six pitches.
Ryan led the way with three RBI, including the go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth. Canale finished with two hits and three RBI, while Thompson added two hits, two runs scored, and a home run. Abney also contributed a two-run homer as part of the Blazers' five-run third inning.
The offensive production continued a strong stretch for several players who have been key contributors throughout the early season run, including Ryan, Canale, Weed, and Thornton, who have consistently provided timely hits during Belhaven's winning streak.
Belhaven's ability to respond to adversity has been a defining characteristic during the opening weeks of the season. From late rallies to clutch pitching performances, the Blazers have repeatedly found ways to win close games.
The Blazers have a quick turnaround, hosting Alma at Trustmark Park tomorrow evening. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM.
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