LONGVIEW, Texas — The No. 11 Belhaven baseball team remained undefeated Tuesday night, rallying late to beat LeTourneau 14-12 at Conrad-Vernon Field. The Blazers improved to 8-0 with the win and extended their winning streak with another comeback victory, according to team sources.
Belhaven jumped ahead early, with JD Weed opening the game with a single. He scored on an RBI groundout by Nick Thornton. Parker Ryan was hit by a pitch, and Austin Canale hit a two-run homer to left center, giving the Blazers a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
LeTourneau responded in the bottom of the second, scoring six runs on several extra-base hits, including a two-run homer by Blake Vice. The YellowJackets took a 6-3 advantage. Belhaven regained momentum in the third, with Chess Parker delivering a two-RBI triple and Owen Abney hitting a two-run homer to put the Blazers ahead 8-6.
The YellowJackets tied the game in the fourth on a three-run homer by Jonah McDaniel. Belhaven briefly led again in the same inning after a run scored on a groundout. LeTourneau answered back, scoring three more runs across the fifth and sixth innings to go ahead 12-9.
In the eighth, Belhaven staged a rally. Weed was hit by a pitch, Thornton reached on a fielder’s choice, and McCarthy brought in a run with an RBI single. Ryan then hit a three-run homer to give Belhaven a 13-12 lead. The Blazers added an insurance run in the ninth on a walk, stolen base, and Thornton’s RBI single.
Relief pitchers Caleb Menard and John Wade closed out the game, with Wade earning his third save of the season. The Blazers’ offense finished with 11 hits, four walks, and six hit-by-pitches. Ryan led with three RBIs, including the decisive three-run homer, while Canale and Thompson contributed offensively as well.
Belhaven’s ability to respond to adversity has been a hallmark of its early-season success. The team hosts Alma at Trustmark Park tomorrow at 6 p.m. for its next game, according to team officials.
