JACKSON, Miss. - The 2016 season for the Belhaven University softball team was one of the most successful in the history of the program. The Blazers compiled a 36-9 record, won a program-best 20 games in a row, and finished the year as the 2016 NCCAA World Series Runner-Up. 

This Friday, the Blazers will look to reclaim some of that magic as they begin their 2017 campaign versus No. 5 East Texas Baptist. 

And while the Green and Gold have lost several key players from last year's squad to graduation, head coach Kevin Griffin has confidence in this year's group of players. 

"We lost a lot of players from last year; a lot of leadership," said Griffin. "But we've got some new players and young players that were counting on to step in and fill their shoes."

One new player the Blazers will be counting on is third base transfer Makayla Reed. Reed comes to Belhaven from Faulkner State Community College, where she hit for a .270 average with seven home runs and nine doubles while driving in 31 runs. 

"Makayla has had a great preseason and a great fall," said Griffin. "She comes in with a big bat and is very solid at third base for us. I think that she's going to open a lot of eyes this year throughout the conference." 

Griffin also high expectations for freshman catcher Cassidy Blount, who comes to the Blazers from Newton County High School in Decatur, Miss. 

"Cassidy is a left-handed stick that we haven't had in our lineup for years and comes with a lot of power," said Griffin. She's got a great arm behind the plate and really knows how to manage a game. So I think that even though she'll be a freshman, she'll come in and do a great job with our pitching staff this year."

Key returners for the Green and Gold include seniors Taylor Surrento, Hannah Holloway and Savannah Lyon. Surrento compiled a 2.02 ERA in 20 appearances on the mound last season. Lyon had the second-highest batting average (.398) on the team last season, while Holloway recorded a .330 average and ranked fifth on the team in hits (37). 

"I expect those three players to step up and really take a leadership role in our program this year," said Griffin. "Taylor brings a wealth of experience to our program. She won a lot of games for us last year in a number two pitching role. And Savannah was one of our team leaders last year in batting average."

Also returning to help anchor the Blazers pitching staff is junior Jordan Herring. Herring finished the 2016 season with an 11-1 record and a 1.99 ERA.

The 2017 season will be the second for the Blazers as members of NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference - regarded as one of the most competitive conferences in the country. The Green and Gold tallied a 24-6 record against ASC opponents last season. 

"There are a lot of good teams in our conference," said Griffin. "Right at the top of the list is University of Texas Tyler and then East Texas Baptist University. We play those teams the first two weeks of the year, so we've really got both of those series circled, just because of how highly ranked they are nationally. ETBU comes in ranked No. 5 in the nation, and of course Texas Tyler won the national championship last year and they're preseason No. 1. It's going to be a tough schedule, but we look forward to the challenge."

Belhaven hosts ETBU for three games this weekend, playing a doubleheader Friday beginning at 1 p.m., before wrapping up the series on Saturday at 12 p.m. Eleven of the team's first 14 games will be played at McLeod Field, where the Blazers recorded a 20-2 mark last season. 

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