Oxford, Ala. — The Belhaven softball team secured its spot in the CCS Championship Series with two wins Friday, overcoming elimination hurdles against Piedmont and Maryville at Choccolocco Park, according to the school.
The Blazers, the No. 1 seed, needed two wins on the day to stay alive and did so with impressive performances. They defeated Piedmont 10-8 in the opening game, then beat Maryville 12-4 to advance. Belhaven now faces No. 2 seed Huntingdon, needing two wins Saturday to claim the conference title and secure an NCAA Division III Tournament bid, according to the school.
In the first game, Belhaven built an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and maintained pressure throughout. Maryanna Guy went 5-for-5 with four RBIs, helping the Blazers build a 9-2 lead after six innings. Piedmont rallied late, scoring six runs in the sixth and seventh innings but fell short. A key double play in the final frame preserved the victory for Belhaven.
The second game saw Belhaven respond quickly after Maryville took an early 3-0 lead in the first. The Blazers scored five runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Liberty Gillihan. They extended their lead to 12-4 after adding two runs in the sixth. Macy Funderburk pitched effectively after the first inning, limiting Maryville’s offense and earning the win.
Belhaven’s offensive leaders included Gillihan, who had five RBIs, and Steverson, with three hits and two RBIs. Ellie Williamson and Kaleigh Steverson each scored multiple runs as the team combined for 11 hits and five walks. The Blazers will now face Huntingdon in a best-of-two series for the conference title, with the winner earning an NCAA bid.
For updates on Belhaven athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram or like the team on Facebook. Support opportunities are available through Team Green Giving, the school added.
