PEARL, Miss. - The No. 18 ranked Belhaven Baseball team walked it off in extra innings Friday night, rallying late to defeat LaGrange 4-3 in the opening game of a three-game series at Trustmark Park.  

The Blazers improve to 21-8 on the season and will look to secure the series in a doubleheader tomorrow.

LaGrange struck first in the opening inning, using a hit batter and a pair of singles to plate two runs and take an early 2-0 lead.

Belhaven starter Gunner Staten settled in after the first, working through traffic in the second and third innings and keeping the deficit at two. In the third, LaGrange put two runners on, but Staten induced a flyout to strand both and keep the game within reach.

Belhaven broke through in the fourth inning.

Blake McCarthy started the rally with a single and stole second to move into scoring position. After a walk to Nick Thornton, Hayden Roberts delivered with a single to right center to bring home the first run.

Moments later, Chess Parker followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.  

The game stayed tight through the middle innings as both pitching staffs worked out of trouble.

LaGrange regained the lead in the sixth on an RBI single after putting two runners on with one out. Logan McNamara came on in relief and limited further damage, getting a groundout and a lineout to keep it a one-run game.  

Belhaven had chances to respond in the sixth and seventh but left runners on base, including a key sequence in the sixth with two aboard that ended on a strikeout.

The Blazers finally broke through again in the eighth.

Thornton worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before Trey Smith delivered a pinch-hit RBI single through the right side to tie the game at 3-3.  

Belhaven looked poised to take the lead later in the inning, but a double play ended the threat and sent the game into the late frames still tied.

Belhaven's bullpen kept the game within reach.

Brandon Rhodes tossed two scoreless innings, working around a baserunner in the eighth. In that frame, LaGrange put a runner in scoring position with one out, but Rhodes responded with a strikeout and a flyout to escape the jam.  

In the ninth and tenth, John Wade took over and was dominant, retiring all six hitters he faced and striking out three to give the Blazers a chance to win it.

Belhaven completed the comeback in the bottom of the 10th.

Thornton drew another walk to open the inning, and a throwing error allowed the Blazers to put two runners on with no outs. Roberts followed with a bunt single to load the bases.

With one out, Parker Ryan lifted a ball to left field that resulted in a sacrifice fly, and after a defensive miscue, the winning run crossed the plate to seal the 4-3 victory.  

Belhaven will return to Trustmark Park on Saturday for a doubleheader against LaGrange to wrap up the three-game series. First pitch tomorrow is set for 2:00 PM.

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