February 19, 2008

JACKSON – Derrik Boland and Hunter Abrams drove in two runs apiece to help Millsaps battle back from a two run deficit to tie the game late but it was Belhaven who crossed the plate in the bottom of the eighth for the go-ahead run to win 6-5 and earn its first win in the Cowboy Maloney Trophy Series.

The Majors fell to 1-1 in the Series after a 10-0 (7) win over Mississippi College days ago, while Belhaven moved to 1-0. The Choctaws, who will play host to Belhaven next Tuesday night in Clinton, currently sit at 0-1.

After coming up short in the first inning following a nice play from the Blazers’ third baseman Brent Hudson on Quinn Salmon, Millsaps (5-2) scored the first runs of the ballgame in the top of the second frame, using an RBI-double from Billy Murphy and an RBI-single from Abrams with two outs for the early 2-0 lead.

Belhaven (7-8) wasted little time responding, crossing the plate four times in the bottom half of the third to take a 4-2 lead after rallying to load the bases early.

Leadoff batter Brian McCormick grounded a slow-roller to Millsaps’ starting pitcher Tait Hendrix who, in turn, made the throw over to Salmon at first to record the first out. However, McCormick stepped back in the box and delivered a single when it was ruled that the previous at-bat hit his foot thus ruling the play dead on a foul ball.

From there, the Blazers put together back-to-back singles, followed by an error from Millsaps to load the bases and then proceeded to rally for four runs off four hits including a two-RBI single from Joe Scalzo.

The two teams traded a run apiece in the sixth inning to keep the Blazers ahead 5-3 before the Majors rallied for two runs in the seventh to knot the game at 5-5 off a two-RBI double from Boland to centerfield.

Belhaven had a shot to regain the lead in the seventh with two outs and two runners on but it was Murphy who made a diving play to his left deep in the infield that ended the inning and kept the game tied.

The Blazers eventually plated the go-ahead run an inning later, taking advantage of a leadoff single and a passed ball to put a runner in scoring position before an error from the Majors allowed the run to score from second. Belhaven tried to tack on one more insurance run with one out in the inning but it was Ronnie Wheat's catch and one-hop throw from right field to the plate that ended the inning.

Hendrix earned a no-decision on the mound for Millsaps after going 5.2 innings and allowing five runs off five hits while striking out seven, while John David Childs was hit with the loss (0-1) after surrendering the winning run before his departure in the eighth.

Ethan Rodgers (1-0) earned the win for Belhaven after tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, while Kyle Medley picked up his first career save for the Blazers.

Millsaps will close out a 4-game road stretch tomorrow, traveling to Montgomery, Ala., for a 3 p.m. ballgame with Huntingdon College. Listen live on Jackson's ESPN Radio 1240 AM and online at www.espnradio1240.com.