JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Softball team has secured their spot in the bracket final matchup of the Collegiate Conference of the South Softball Championship Tournament. The tournament is split into two pods (at Belhaven and at Huntingdon) with the winners of each pod set to compete in the Championship Series next weekend and with their 8-4 win over Piedmont on Friday, the Blazers are just one win away from doing just that. 

The Blazers had to come from behind against the Lions in the winner's bracket contest with Piedmont taking an early lead with a run in the top of the 1st inning. Belhaven was able to answer right back in the same frame but a solo homer in the top of the 2nd restored that Lions' one-run lead.

Piedmont led into the 4th inning but the Belhaven bats would start to heat up and the Blazers offense was able to take advantage of some defensive miscues by the Lions. In the 4th, Belhaven tied the game on a fielder's choice that scored Sydney Runnels before taking the lead on a two-RBI base hit by Madison Miller. Belhaven added another run in the inning and led 5-2 after the 4th frame.

From that point Belhaven continued to add to their lead grabbing a pair of runs in the 5th on a two-run homer by Anna Caime before picking up a final insurance run in the 6th when Allie Gordon was able to swipe home. Piedmont got a pair of runs back in the 7th but the Belhaven lead proved too much to overcome in the end. 

BELHAVEN PITCHERS

Kennedy Carruth (W, 14-4) - 7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 7 K

BELHAVEN HITTING LEADERS

Allie Gordon: 3-4, 2B, 2 R
Sydney Runnels: 2-3, RBI, R
Anna McNeer: 2-3, 2 R
Anna Caime: 1-2, HR, 2 RBI

Belhaven will face Piedmont once again on Saturday as the Lions were able to battle out of the losers' bracket with a win over Covenant. With the winners' bracket advantage, Belhaven will have to win once Saturday while Piedmont will have to win twice to top the bracket. First pitch of Game One is set for 10:00 AM with another game to follow if necessary. 

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