ROANOKE, Va. – The Belhaven Softball team prepares for the 2016 NCCAA World Series, scheduled to begin Wednesday at the Botetourt Sports Complex.
 
Belhaven will enter the tournament for the first time in their first season of NCCAA Membership with a 33-8 record as the No. 2 Seed. The Green and Gold are seeking their first championship in softball.
 
The Blazers are one of three at-large teams that are named to the tournament. There will be eight total teams in the tournament, divided into two four-team pools.
 
Belhaven will play three rounds of pool play, beginning on Wednesday. In Belhaven's pool are Mid-America Christian University, Central Baptist College and Judson University.
 
The No. 7 seed, Mid-America Christian (26-27) is making their first appearance in the Series. Since starting the season 1-6, the Lady Evangels are 25-21 to enter the World Series. The Evangels used a 12-1 stretch following the 1-6 start to get back into postseason contention. Belhaven will take on Mid-America Christian on Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT.
 
The No. 6 seed, Central Baptist (29-30) is making its fourth straight appearance at the World Series and won the Championship in 2010.  The institution has only missed the Series once in the last eight years. The Mustangs won the Central Region with a sweep of Mid-America Christian on May 10. The Blazers will wrap up Wednesday with CBC at 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT
 
The No. 3 seed, Judson (32-20), is making its second straight NCCAA World Series appearance and eighth overall. The Eagles have won 16 of their 32 games via a neutral site.  The Blazers will take on Judson Thursday morning at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT to conclude pool play.
 
On the other side of the bracket includes Mississippi College, Emmanuel College, Southern Wesleyan University and Oakland City University.
 
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals on Thursday afternoon, with the Championship Game slated for Noon ET/11 a.m. CT on Friday.
 
"It is a great opportunity to come here and compete," said head coach Kevin Griffin. "While we do not know a whole lot about the teams that we will be playing, we are going to soak up the experience and try to continue to build on the great year that we have had."
 
Leading the Blazers on offense is senior third baseman Dani Craft. Craft has posted a .450 batting average with a team-leading 50 hits in 111 at bats. Currently with a .703 slugging percentage, the Biloxi, Miss. native has seven home runs, 31 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and 45 runs scored. In the postseason, Craft is 7-for-11, with four runs scored, two home runs and three RBIs.
 
Taylor O'Dell has been hitting a hot bat in the postseason, going 5-for-9 in the Mideast Regional with an RBI.
 
Makenzie Hawkins has a .369 batting average coming into the series, with 37 runs scored and 13 doubles. Four of those 13 two-baggers came in the Mideast Regional Tournament. Hawkins is 6-for-14 with four RBIs in the postseason.
 
Carly Yasses has a team-leading nine home runs with 38 RBIs in 39 games played.
 
In the circle, Julienne Broussard has posted a 14-3 record with a 1.05 ERA in 93 innings pitched. Broussard has struck out 122 while only walking 17.
 
Taylor Surrento has allowed 21 earned runs in 78 innings pitched, posting a 9-4 record with a 1.88 ERA.
 
Jordan Herring comes into the postseason with a 9-1 record with a 2.18 ERA.
 
With the institution hosted by Bluefield College and Tourbeau Sports, live video and live stats will be available. Games can be purchased on a game-by-game basis or with an All-Tournament pass. However, the Blazers Sports Network will provide live audio to fans as well.