Southwest Mississippi Baseball tops Belhaven JV 4-2 in season opener

Southwest Mississippi Baseball earned a 4-2 victory over Belhaven University JV on Wednesday, February 4, improving their season record to 2-0, according to coach comments.

Alden Spencer started on the mound for the Bears, striking out 17 batters and allowing one hit before giving way to seven other pitchers over the course of the game. Multiple pitchers, including Caden Case, Easton Boyte, Ian Edwards, Tate Miller, and Drew Nelson, each recorded a strikeout. The team has had at least six different pitchers record strikeouts in both of their first two games.

The Bears fell behind 1-0 after the first inning but took a 2-1 lead in the second. Drew Swan scored after an error by Belhaven’s shortstop, and Luke Simmons drove in Hayes Loper with a single. Belhaven tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth, but that was their last run of the game.

Southwest responded with a run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by JD Hidalgo, scoring Justin Domiano. Robbie Hokamp doubled in the eighth inning to bring in Domiano again, extending the lead to 4-2, which stood as the final score. Hokamp finished with two hits, including a double and an RBI. Hidalgo and Simmons each had an RBI, and Tanner Moore hit a triple in his only at-bat.

Base-stealing was also a part of the game, with Simmons, Swan, Loper, Hidalgo, and Hokamp each stealing a base. Coach Jack Edmonson praised his team’s effort, noting strong pitching, defense, and timely hitting as keys to their win. “I’m excited about the direction of our team and our program,” he said.

The Bears will host Mineral Area College for their first home doubleheader of the season on Friday, February 6.

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