PEARL, Miss. — Facing elimination, the Belhaven baseball team secured a 17-1 run-rule victory over Asbury on Thursday at Trustmark Park. The win allows the Blazers to advance to another elimination game Saturday, with their opponent to be determined.
The game was close through the early innings. Belhaven scored first in the third inning after Jake McCann drew a walk, stole second, and scored on an RBI groundout by Nick Thornton. It was a one-run game at that point, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the fourth inning.
In the fourth, Belhaven sent multiple runners across the plate, starting with JD Weed driving in a run with a single. McCann followed with a two-run double, and Blake McCarthy added an extra-base hit. Thornton capped the inning with an RBI single. The Blazers scored six runs in the frame and took a 7-0 lead.
The fifth inning was even more productive for Belhaven. Chess Parker doubled in a run, followed by an RBI single from Weed. McCann continued his hot streak with a base hit, and McCarthy doubled in another run. Thornton contributed a two-run single, and the lineup kept turning over as Austin Canale and Parker Ryan added runs with a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice RBI, respectively. The team scored eight runs in the inning, pushing the lead to 15-0.
On the mound, Hayden Roberts delivered five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. His key moment came in the fourth when Asbury loaded the bases with two outs, but Roberts maintained his composure and escaped without damage. Asbury scored its only run in the sixth on a leadoff walk and wild pitch, but Belhaven quickly shut down the rally. A double play in the same inning helped erase another threat, and the bullpen finished the game without issue.
Belhaven added two more runs in the sixth, with McCann singling and Canale driving him in. A sacrifice fly later pushed the score to 17-1, ending the game via run rule. McCarthy led the team with three hits and three RBIs, while McCann had four hits, four runs scored, and two RBIs. Thornton drove in four runs, and multiple players contributed offensively throughout the game.
Belhaven will return to the field Saturday for another elimination game. The opponent remains to be announced. For updates on Belhaven athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram or like the team on Facebook.
