PEARL, Miss. — The Belhaven University baseball team started its 2026 campaign with a 5-1 win over Mississippi University for Women on Tuesday night at Trustmark Park.
The Blazers scored in three different innings and received a strong outing from starting pitcher Michael Scott. Scott pitched five innings, allowing three hits, striking out five and walking one, to earn the win in his season debut. He kept MUW off balance before turning the game over to the bullpen, which combined to hold the visitors scoreless through the eighth inning.
Belhaven scored early, with a two-run triple by freshman Jake McCann in the first inning driving in Nick Thornton and Blake McCarthy. The Blazers added another run in the third on an RBI single by McCann, and extended their lead in the seventh with a sacrifice fly by McCarthy and a wild pitch that scored Austin Canale. They finished with eight hits and committed no errors.
MUW scored a solo home run from Bryson Barnes in the ninth but could not overcome the deficit. Brandon Rhodes finished the game for Belhaven, closing the door in the ninth.
McCann led the offense with a 4-for-4 night and three RBIs. Thornton scored three runs, and JD Weed added two hits. The Blazers will continue their early-season schedule this week with a home series against ETBU.
For updates on Belhaven athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like the team on Facebook. Support efforts through Team Green Giving.
