JACKSON, Miss. — The Belhaven Blazers took a step closer to the NCAA Division III World Series with a 5-1 win over Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Thursday morning at Jim McLeod Field. The victory gives Belhaven a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Belhaven jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Grace Langston singled, Reagan Bryan doubled, and Maryanna Guy drew a walk to load the bases. Ellie Williamson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and a throwing error allowed Bryan to score. Melissa Lopera capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Blazers a 3-0 lead.
Macy Funderburk pitched a complete game for Belhaven, retiring the first nine batters and holding UW-Oshkosh scoreless through five innings. She struck out four and allowed only four hits, facing the minimum most of the game.
Belhaven added to its lead in the fifth. Maddie Bruner doubled, and after a sacrifice bunt by Langston, Guy drew her second walk. Williamson then singled to bring in a run, making it 4-0. The Titans scored their only run in the sixth on an RBI single, but Funderburk ended the inning with a strikeout to strand two runners.
The Blazers responded quickly in the bottom half. Melissa Lopera singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and Liberty Gillihan doubled to extend the lead to 5-1. Funderburk finished the game with a perfect seventh inning, securing the win.
Williamson led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Bruner added two hits and a double. Belhaven finished with eight total hits. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m., with the Blazers aiming to clinch their spot in the NCAA Division III World Series.
