Box Score
Gulf Shores, AL-The Belhaven softball team rode the arm of pitcher Sarah Burns to a 3-0 victory over Bellevue University in their first pool play game at the NAIA National Championships Thursday afternoon in Gulf Shores, AL. The Blazers, ranked 6th in the final NAIA Top 25 Poll and one of eight number one seeds, got a complete game shutout by Burns and a two out two run single by Annalee Carr in the third followed by a two out RBI triple in the seventh off the bat of Rian O'Bannon was all the offense Belhaven would need.

Belhaven (45-10) got on the board in the in the third inning with two runs on three hits including the two run single off the bat of Carr to put the Blazers in front 2-0. The base hit plated Christina Jaques and Rian O'Bannon with two outs in the inning. Jaques had singled early in the frame and O'Bannon reached on a fielder's choice after Lizzy Hess singled with one out. In the seventh, Belhaven came up with some more two out magic when O'Bannon tripled off the fence in left field to chase home Jaques who had stolen second to make her way into scoring position. It was Jaques second stolen base of the game.

Burns was lights out for Belhaven in the circle as she went the distance for her 31st win of the year. Burns (31-7) scattered five hits and struck out eight batters en route to shutting down the Bellevue offense. It was also Burns 31st complete game and 15th shutout in 2011. Hess and Jaques led the Blazers at the plate with two hits each followed by Carr who came up with one hit and two runs batted in. O'Bannon had a triple and an RBI while Rebecca Rousseau and Rachel Wright both produced doubles in the contest. CeCee Austin rounded out the attack with one hit in three plate appearances.

Bellevue (31-18) was led at the dish by Jessica Guyle who had three of the Bruins five hits in the game. Brooke Ellis and Katie Malloy each had one hit in three trips to the plate. Amanda Neumann took the loss as she worked all seven innings allowing three runs on nine hits. Neumann did not walk a batter and struck out two in the loss that drops her record to 22-9 this season.

Belhaven will be back in action Friday afternoon at 12:30 PM in game two of pool play as they battle Minot State University (ND) who lost to Lindsey Wilson on Thursday 3-0. Fans can follow all the action through live stats by clicking here.