No. 18 Belhaven Softball Sweeps Huntingdon in CCS Rematch
JACKSON, Miss. — The No. 18 Belhaven University softball team defeated Huntingdon in a doubleheader Friday at Jim McLeod Field, sweeping the Hawks in a rematch of last season’s CCS Tournament Championship. The series marked the first time Huntingdon has been swept in a regular-season twin bill since April 24, 2022, according to school officials.
In Game One, Belhaven relied on pitching and situational hitting to win 3-1. Reagan Bryan doubled to start the bottom of the first and scored on Maryanna Guy’s RBI double. Huntingdon threatened in the second, putting a runner at third with a double and an error, but Karley Rouse induced a groundout to escape. Rouse worked around more threats, striking out back-to-back batters in the third and allowing just three hits over six innings.
The Blazers added insurance in the fourth. Kaleigh Steverson singled, Liberty Gillihan drew a walk, and Lauren Dunbar loaded the bases with a single. Maddie Bruner then delivered a two-run single to right field. Huntingdon scored a run in the seventh after an error and a hit, but reliever AR Sharp struck out three to close out the game and earn the win.
Game Two was a back-and-forth affair. Huntingdon scored three runs in the first and two in the second to take a 5-0 lead. Belhaven responded in the fifth with a two-run single from Lily Wainwright and a two-run single from Guy to cut the deficit to 5-4. The Blazers completed the comeback in the sixth, with Lauren Dunbar tying the game with an RBI double and Maddie Bruner hitting a triple to give Belhaven a 6-5 lead.
Huntingdon answered in the seventh with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6. In the bottom of the inning, Belhaven loaded the bases on a double, a walk, and an error. Dunbar drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the winning run, sealing the 7-6 victory. Rouse closed the game, working through the final inning for her second win of the day.
Belhaven’s pitchers kept the team in contention early and limited damage during the game’s late stages. The team improved to 26-8 overall, 12-4 in conference play, with the sweep. Fans can follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram at @BelhavenBlazers and support athletics through Team Green Giving, officials said.
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