Box Score PEARL, Miss. – The W baseball scored first and last, but in between hot Belhaven University reeled off 12 unanswered runs in a 12-2 loss at Trustmark Park. The Owls fell to 0-5 in the non-conference setback to the Blazers, who improved to 5-3.
 
In the top of the first, with two out, Zach Johnson singled to left-center and, with Avery Benson at the plate, stole second to put himself in scoring position. The gamble paid off as Benson laced a single through the right side of the infield that easily plated Johnson to make it 1-0.
 
But Belhaven responded with two each in the first and second innings. That was followed by four runs each in the third and fourth frames. That would be all the Blazers would score, but it proved more than enough.
 
In the Owls' sixth, Baron Brack led off with a double and advanced to third on Johnson's ground out. Once again, Benson came to the plate with chance to do damage and, once again, the senior came through with an RBI single through the left-hand side of the infield for the final 12-2 score.
 
The W was outhit for the day by an 11-6 count.
 
Chris Ellis (0-2) took the loss for MUW. Ellis went 1.2 innings and gave up four earned runs. He allowed three hits, but was not helped by issuing three walks, as well.
 
In all, The W employed six pitchers in the game. Ethan LeBlanc (1.2 IP), Joseph Gantt (2.0 IP), and Landon Clark (1.0 IP) all had scoreless relieve appearances for the Owls.
 
Benson paced the Owls' offense by going 2-for-3, with ownership of both of his team's runs batted in.
 
The W will be traveling to east Texas to play a three-game series in Longview, versus LeTourneau University on Friday (Feb. 28, 4 p.m. DH) and a single Saturday (March 1, 1 p.m.) contest.