PEARL, Miss. — Belhaven’s postseason run concluded Monday morning as the Blazers lost to Piedmont 14-4 in the CCS Championship Game at Trustmark Park. The Blazers, ranked No. 14 in the National Poll Index, are now awaiting a possible at-large selection to the NCAA Division III Tournament, according to team sources.
Belhaven had early opportunities, putting runners on base in the first two innings but was unable to score. Piedmont capitalized on the momentum in the second inning, scoring five runs on a combination of hits, walks, and an error. A leadoff double and a run-scoring single set the tone, followed by a sacrifice fly, a miscue that allowed another run, and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. The inning ended with Piedmont leading 5-0.
The Blazers fought back in the fifth inning. Jake McCann and Hayden Roberts opened with singles, and Austin Canale drove in a run with a double. Nick Thornton followed with a sacrifice fly, and an error allowed another run to score, trimming the deficit to 7-3. Piedmont responded immediately, pushing two runs across in the bottom half of the inning to extend its lead to 9-3.
In the sixth, Piedmont’s offense exploded again, scoring four runs, including a two-run home run, to make it 13-3. Belhaven added a late run in the seventh on a Trey Smith RBI double, but Piedmont scored once more in the bottom half to close out the game at 14-4.
Belhaven finished with eight hits, with Roberts and Smith each collecting two. Canale contributed an RBI double, while Thornton and Smith each drove in a run. The Blazers used multiple pitchers in the game and managed to limit further damage after the early five-run inning, but Piedmont’s timely hitting proved decisive.
Belhaven’s postseason included multiple elimination game victories and a return to the championship series for the second consecutive year. The team now waits to see if its resume earns a spot in the NCAA regional round, pending the tournament selection process.
For updates on Belhaven athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like the team on Facebook. Supporters can also explore the Team Green Giving program.
