Belhaven Baseball Achieves Program’s Highest National Ranking at No. 4

Jackson, Miss. — Belhaven University’s baseball team has achieved a historic milestone, climbing to No. 4 in the D3Baseball.com Top 25 poll released Tuesday. The Blazers (12-0) are the only undefeated team in Division III this season and have the highest national ranking in program history, according to sources.

Belhaven received three first-place votes and 496 points, moving up seven spots from No. 11 in last week’s poll. The top of the poll is led by Denison University at No. 1, followed by Salisbury at No. 2 and Johns Hopkins at No. 3. The Blazers are ranked ahead of Lynchburg, Washington University in St. Louis, Salve Regina, Kean, Trinity (Texas), and Rowan among the top 10.

The team has posted some of the most potent offensive numbers in Division III. Belhaven is batting .339 with 111 runs scored in 12 games, averaging more than nine runs per game. The Blazers boast a .470 on-base percentage and a .468 slugging percentage, according to the poll.

Leading the offensive charge is junior Austin Canale, who is hitting .463 with 19 hits, 17 RBIs, and a .577 on-base percentage. Senior JD Weed has hit .450 with 18 hits and five doubles, while Parker Ryan is batting .400 with a .580 on-base percentage and .714 slugging percentage, including three home runs and 13 RBIs. Senior Blake McCarthy has a .395 average and has stolen six bases in seven attempts. Owen Abney has contributed power with a .311 average, two home runs, two triples, and 11 RBIs.

The pitching staff has been effective, limiting opponents to a .242 batting average and striking out 90 batters in 100 innings. Gunner Staten leads the rotation with a 3-0 record and a 1.69 ERA over 16 innings, with 14 strikeouts. John Wade has three saves and has not allowed an earned run in 3.1 innings. Cooper Sirk has posted a 0.00 ERA in four appearances with seven strikeouts.

Belhaven has played 11 of its 12 games at home, winning all 11. The team will hit the road for three upcoming games, starting with a matchup against Methodist University scheduled for tomorrow at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media for updates.

For more information, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like the team on Facebook. Supporters can also contribute through Team Green Giving.

Source: Original Article