Big first, second and ninth innings proved to be the difference as Belhaven took an 11-4 win over Alcorn State Wednesday at Chester Willis Field.

The Blazers took a 4-0 lead in the first inning aided by a two-run home run by Ricky Owens, then led 6-0 after two with a solo shot from Buddy Wyrick.

The Braves were able to come back in the bottom of the second inning, however, scoring three runs, including a two-run shot by Jeffery Jones, to cut the lead in half.

After cutting the deficit to 6-4 with an RBI single by Shawn Taylor in the fifth inning, the Braves (16-17) appeared to have a chance to come away with a win.

Shawn Anderson made sure that didn’t happen.

The junior from Pascagoula, who was 0-for-4 on the night when he came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, uncorked a grand slam just over the outreached arm of Marcus Davis in left field to give the Blazers (32-11) an 11-4 lead and assure the victory.

Robert Young picked up the win for Belhaven, pitching eight innings and striking out nine batters. Natchez native Chris Norris — a Cathedral graduate — recorded three outs in the ninth to close the game out.

Alcorn starting pitcher Darryl Jordan lasted only a third of an inning before being pulled after Owens’ dinger. He took the loss on the night.

Francisco Garcia came in to start the third inning and pitched well, allowing no runs in the first six innings he pitched. He ran out of gas in the ninth, however, allowing five runs.

“It was a good ballgame,” Belhaven head coach Hill Denson said. “It was a really good ballgame until that grand slam. Their third guy, Garcia, pitched really well when they brought him in there. We’re happy to get the win.”

“We made a comeback,” Alcorn head coach Willie McGowan said. “I knew if we could keep it close we’d have a chance. We just got off to a bad start. When you’ve got outs, you’ve got to make the outs, or otherwise it can come back to haunt you.”

Vidalia native Bryan Bennett batted 2-for-4 with a run scored. He also walked and reached on an error.

The Braves will have 10 days off before hitting the field again April 21 when they take on Mississippi Valley State in a three-game series at Vicksburg.