Belhaven softball advanced to the NCAA Division III super regionals after a 4-0 victory over Emory on Saturday. The win secured the Blazers’ spot in the next round and marked their fourth appearance at this stage of the tournament.
The Blazers started the regional with an 8-2 win over Westminster (Pa.) on Thursday and followed with a 9-1 victory against Emory on Friday. Emory defeated Westminster and Berry to reach the championship round, where Belhaven and Emory faced off in a decisive game. Emory won the first game, 15-7, but Belhaven responded with a shutout in the final game.
All-Conference of the South first-teamer Macy Funderburk pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and earning Most Outstanding Player honors. The Belhaven offense supported her efforts with key hits, including a bunt by Grace Langston that scored a run and a single by Maryanna Guy that brought another home. Liberty Gillihan added two RBIs in the seventh inning.
Following the regional, Ellie Williamson, Lauen Dunbar, and Kaleigh Steverson were named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team for their performances. Belhaven will host Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the super regional round, beginning Thursday at 2 p.m. The best-of-three series continues Friday with a 1 p.m. game and, if necessary, a third game at 3:30 p.m.
The winners of the super regional will advance to the NCAA Division III College World Series in Salem, Virginia, from May 28 to June 3.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
