PEARL, Miss. — Belhaven University’s baseball team lost to LaGrange 10-7 in a game that featured a five-hour, 32-minute rain delay during the CCS Tournament on Wednesday.
The game was suspended at the start of the top of the seventh inning due to weather and resumed later in the evening. The delay disrupted the rhythm for both teams, who had previously played a competitive contest.
Belhaven (28-12) took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Nick Thornton singled, and Austin Canale walked to set up the offense. Parker Ryan delivered a two-run single, and Chess Parker added an RBI hit, giving the Blazers an early advantage.
In the second inning, Jake McCann reached base and stole second before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Canale. LaGrange responded in the third, scoring five runs in a single inning, including a two-run double and a two-out, three-run single that put the Panthers ahead 5-4.
The Panthers extended their lead in the fifth inning, capitalizing on an error and a walk to score five more runs, including a three-run double, and build a 10-4 lead. Belhaven responded in the bottom of the inning with runs from Canale and Owen Abney, narrowing the gap to 10-5.
After both teams went scoreless in the sixth, play was halted at the start of the seventh due to weather. The game resumed after a delay of more than five hours. Belhaven attempted a comeback, with Parker Ryan hitting a solo home run in the eighth and McCann scoring on a sacrifice fly in the ninth to make it 10-7.
Despite putting runners on base in the final inning, Belhaven was unable to complete the rally. LaGrange secured the final out, ending the game.
The Blazers will play again Thursday at 4 p.m., facing the loser of the Piedmont versus Asbury game. Belhaven needs a win to stay alive in the tournament, according to officials.
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