Senior Will Ruffin scattered just five hits in eight strong innings of work, but a one-out single by Reagan Rutledge in the bottom of the seventh plated the eventual game-winning run, as Auburn Montgomery fell 2-1 to Belhaven in game two of pool play at the Southern States Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament on Wednesday.

The Warhawks (32-23-1) will conclude pool play on Friday, when they challenge Southern Poly at 11 a.m. AUM fell in its opening pool-play game to Faulkner on Tuesday.

Ruffin kept the Blazers (37-20) off balance for much of the game, allowing just back-to-back singles in the first inning before three consecutive hits in the seventh. He struck out one and issued one walk in the tough-luck loss.

“I think this was the best game Will has thrown for us,” head coach Q.V. Lowe said. “He gave us everything he had, but we just weren’t able to get key hits for him. We had some opportunities, but in a close ball game, you have to capitalize.

The Southern States Athletic Conference held its postseason baseball awards banquet Monday evening to kick off its 2013 SSAC Tournament and 10 Auburn Montgomery student-athletes were honored by the league for their accomplishments this season.

Senior Chad Mansmann was named a first-team all-conference selection, while junior Blake Bearden earned second-team honors. Freshman Brandon Pooler was selected to the league’s All-Freshman team. Mansmann was chosen AUM’s Musco Lighting Champions of Character recipient.

In addition, the Warhawks matched a league-high with seven players named to the All-Academic team. Seniors Eran Franks, Will Ruffin and Branden Kelley, juniors Hayden Hillyer and Josh Thompson, sophomore Bryan Young and redshirt freshman Shelby Nobles were each recognized for their academic success. To qualify, individuals must have a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and have completed at least 24 semester hours of college level work.

The Huntingdon softball team earned three of the Great South Athletic Conference’s top awards for a second consecutive year.
 
With the release of the GSAC All-Conference awards, senior catcher Brittany Richardson was named Player of the Year, senior Melissa McClure was named Pitcher of the Year and head coach Gynger Williams was named Coach of the Year. A total of 14 Huntingdon players were recognized as either All-Conference, All-Freshmen, All-Academic or for Sportsmanship.
 
This is McClure’s first selection as Pitcher of the Year, but the third straight season a Huntingdon Pitcher has been named Pitcher of the Year. Entering the GSAC tournament, McClure led the conference in wins (13) and ERA (1.88) and was fifth in strikeouts (81) this season. She also pitched three shutouts and two no-hitters, including a perfect game this season.