CLEVELAND - The Belhaven College baseball team rallied for six runs in the eighth and ninth innings to send the No. 12 ranked Statesmen (0-1) of Delta State to a 7-1 season opening loss in front of 849 fans at Ferriss Field.  The Blazers, ranked No. 25 in NAIA, improved to 6-1 on the year.

After taking a 1-0 lead on Kyle Boeman's RBI single to left, the Statesmen never seemed to find their offensive swagger again, as the Blazers out-hit the Statesmen 10-5.  

Belhaven tied it at 1-1 in the fourth inning on Craig Dean's RBI single to left.  

After that, the Blazers took control with three runs in the eighth and ninth to cruise to the win.

BC's Brandt Hinton (1-1) earned the win after tossing seven innings allowing one earned run on five hits.  Riley Galloway held the Statesmen at bay over the final two innings.  

Korey Cunningham didn't factor in the decision, after tossing four innings of one run baseball on just two hits.  Cody Kelley pitched three innings in relief, while Toby Easterly (0-1) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on just three hits in one inning of relief.  Levi Bishop also pitched one inning, allowing three unearned runs on four hits.

BC's Timmy Foster led the Blazers at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance and four RBIs.  Craig Diehl went 3-of-r4 with two RBIs.  

Kellen Bozeman led the Statesmen at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.  

The Statesmen will travel this weekend to Dahlongea, Ga., to face the Saints of North Georgia College and State in two games, and a single game with Pfeiffer College.  Saturday's doubleheader starts at noon with Pfeiffer and the Statesmen set for noon, followed by DSU and NGCSU.  The Statesmen and Saints will play a single game and the series finale on Sunday at noon.

DSU's next home game is next Tuesday and Wednesday, as the Statesmen host Montevallo.