ROANOKE, Va. – The Belhaven Softball team earned Runners-Up honors at the NCCAA World Series with a 3-0 loss to Mississippi College on Friday afternoon at the Botetourt Sports Complex.
 
With the finish, the Blazers Softball program earns its best finish in a National Tournament in team history. In 2011, the Blazers earned a third place finish at the NAIA National Championships.
 
Belhaven (37-9) was unable to figure out Mississippi College's starting pitcher Carlie Sargent, who tossed a complete game shutout.
 
Mississippi College (39-18) scored an early run in the first inning off three straight singles off Julienne Broussard with two outs, while scoring two times in the fifth to push the lead to 3-0.
 
The Blazers did not record their first hit until the fourth inning and their first base runner in scoring position until the fifth inning.
 
Belhaven left two runners stranded in the fifth and one in the sixth.
 
Broussard (16-4) went the distance, allowed eight hits and struck out five on 126 pitches.
 
Dani Craft and Crystal Kehtel were named to the All-Tournament Team. Kehtel went 4-for-10 in the Series, including the game-tying three-run home run in the final game of pool play against Judson on Thursday. Craft went 6-for-15 in the World Series, with three runs scored, two RBIs and drew five walks. She delivered the game-winning RBI single against Judson in the bottom of the eighth inning. 
 
For the third time in program history, the Blazers posted an .800 winning percentage or better with an .804 mark this season, the third-best in team history.
 
Head Coach Kevin Griffin, who earned his 200th career victory during the 2016 season, finishes his sixth season with a 226-98 record.