EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - In their first ever appearance at the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, the Belhaven Blazers have booked their spot in the Super Regional round, as they took down the Milwaukee School of Engineering 7-4 and polished off a sweep of the Webster Regional.

Belhaven got the scoring started in the 2nd inning after Hayden Roberts dropped down a bunt that plated Dathan Cummings from third. Hunter Harrell would then drive in another run in the 2nd with a base hit up the middle to give the Blazers and early 2-0 lead.

The Blazers would tack on three more runs in the 4th as JD Weed drove an RBI triple to right center and then came around to score on an error by the MSOE shortstop. Nick Thornton capped off the frame with an RBI knock of his own and the Blazers would lead 5-0 through four.

MSOE responded though, plating four runs in the top of the 5th and pulling within a run. Gunner Staten, who got the start on the mound for Belhaven, was solid, holding MSOE scoreless through his first four innings and was followed by Caleb Menard on the hill with Menard taking over partway through the 5th. 

Belhaven was able to get a couple of runs back in the 6th as Parker Ryan singled up the middle to drive in a run and Hayden Roberts drove in his second run of the day. In relief, Menard was stellar, shutting out the Raiders for the final four frames and helping lead Belhaven to a historic victory.

Key Performances

Gunner Staten: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 K
Caleb Menard (W, 2-0): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 K
JD Weed: 2-5, 3B, RBI
Hunter Harrell: 1-3, 2 RBI
Parker Ryan: 2-5, RBI
Hayden Roberts: 2-3, 2 RBI

The win puts Belhaven into the Super Regional round where they will face No. 2 Denison in Granville, Ohio. This is the first ever NCAA Super Regional round in program history and the first time the program has advanced out of a Regional since 2010 when the Blazers reached the NAIA World Series.

The Blazers will face the Big Red in Granville on Friday and Saturday in a best of three series. Game times will be updated on the Belhaven Athletics website

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. To support Belhaven Athletics check out Team Green Giving.