a clean start

Belhaven University coach Hill Denson may be concerned about his pitching staff this season, but he would be hard-pressed to find fault with Friday’s effort. Chris Good and Robert Marzoni combined on a two-hitter with nine strikeouts as the Blazers beat Blue Mountain 4-1 at Smith-Wills Stadium. Left-hander Good, a New Mexico transfer, took a no-hitter into the sixth. Marzoni, a returnee who posted a 1.21 ERA in 2012, did not allow a hit over the last three frames. The Toppers’ lone run was unearned. BU, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 32-24 finish in 2012, looked sharp with the bats, too, pounding out nine hits. Bud Britt belted a three-run homer and also had an RBI double. Hamilton Harper had three hits, as well. The Blazers and Toppers play again today at 2 p.m. … Rust College also opened its season on Friday but might not have been quite ready. Loyola of New Orleans beat the visiting Bearcats 16-3 and 39-0.