Box Score
CLINTON, Miss. – The Belhaven softball team kicked off the 2013 NAIA National Championship Opening Round with a 2-0 shutout of William Woods University Monday afternoon at the Clinton High School Sportsplex. The Blazers, ranked 13th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, scored their only two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take home the win in what was a classic pitcher's duel.

Neither side recorded a hit until the fourth when Belhaven (36-12) broke through for three against William Wood's hurler MacKenzie Bowden. Bowden opened the inning by walking second baseman Jordan Cole who in turn stole second base to get into scoring position. With one out, shortstop Courtney Fairley broke the scoreless tie with a double to the gap in left center plating Cole for a 1-0 Blazer lead.

The Blazers then put runners on the corners thanks to a single by pitcher Katy Adair and with two away first baseman Haley Yasses came through with a clutch RBI single to left extending the lead to 2-0.

Meanwhile, Adair took a no hitter into the seventh before William Woods (24-15) tallied its first hit of the afternoon. With one out, second baseman Illissa Facchini singled up the middle and then shortstop Lindsey LeCuru rapped a single to left field. Adair then buckled down to get first baseman Kristy Pluchinski on a ground out to third. With runners now positioned on second and third, second baseman Jordan Cole made a game saving play for the Blazers ranging to her right to take a potential hit away from centerfielder Ashley DePew. Cole fired to first enabling Belhaven to advance in the winner's bracket.

Adair earned the win for Belhaven by tossing a complete game shutout, running her record to 13-6 on the season. Adair allowed two hits while walking one and striking out six. Fairley had two of the Blazers four hits with one RBI. Yasses was 1 for 2 with the other RBI.

Bowden pitched well but suffered the loss, dropping her record to 13-8. Bowden fired six innings allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Facchini and Lindsey LeCuru had the only hits for the Owls.

Belhaven advances to take on top-seed Reinhardt University Tuesday at 1:00 PM. William Woods will play LSU-Alexandria at 3:30 PM in an elimination game at the Clinton Sportsplex on Tuesday.

For all the latest on the NAIA National Championship Opening Round check out the tournamerent page by clicking here.