BARTOW, Fla. - The No. 23 ranked Belhaven Softball team continued its strong run at the Spring Games in Bartow, Florida on Thursday, earning a pair of victories to extend its winning streak to four games at the event. The Blazers defeated No. 16 Case Western Reserve 9-5 before edging Wittenberg 4-3 in a tightly contested afternoon matchup.    

Game One - Belhaven 9, No. 16 Case Western Reserve 5
Belhaven erased an early deficit with a huge second inning to secure a win over the nationally-ranked Spartans.

Case Western Reserve struck first in the top of the opening inning. After a walk and bunt single put runners in scoring position, a sacrifice bunt produced two runs to give the Spartans an early 2-0 advantage.  

The Blazers answered in the bottom half of the inning. Melissa Lopera reached on a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch before Kaleigh Steverson delivered an RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 2-1.  

Belhaven broke the game open in the second inning with its biggest offensive surge of the day.

The inning began with a walk by Lauren Dunbar and a single from Liberty Gillihan, followed by Maddie Bruner being hit by a pitch to load the bases. After Grace Langston reached on a fielder's choice, Lopera lined a two-run single to center field to give the Blazers their first lead of the game.  

The rally continued when Maryanna Guy ripped a two-run double down the left-field line. Guy later scored on a wild pitch before Steverson added a sacrifice fly to cap a six-run inning, putting Belhaven ahead 7-2.  

Case Western Reserve attempted to chip away in the fourth inning, scoring two runs following a throwing error and an RBI single to make it 7-4.  

Belhaven responded immediately in the bottom of the inning. Lopera doubled down the left-field line before Reagan Bryan followed with an RBI double. Later in the frame, Ellie Williamson added an RBI single to extend the Blazer lead to 9-4.  

The Spartans added a run in the seventh, but Belhaven closed the door to secure the victory.

Lopera finished with three runs scored and two hits, while Guy drove in two runs. Steverson also added two RBI in the win.  

In the circle, Karley Rouse earned the win after allowing two earned runs across five innings while striking out five. AR Sharp provided two innings of relief.

Game Two - Belhaven 4, Wittenberg 3
Belhaven completed the sweep with a tight victory over Wittenberg, scoring early before using clutch pitching to hold off a late push.

The Blazers jumped on the scoreboard immediately in the top of the first inning. Lopera opened the game with a single and later scored when Maryanna Guy doubled to center field. Gracey Harbour followed with an RBI single before another run scored on a fielding error to give Belhaven an early 3-0 lead.  

Belhaven held the lead until the third inning when Wittenberg got on the board with an RBI single. The Tigers then tied the game in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to even the contest at 3-3.  

The Blazers regained the lead in the sixth inning. After Harbour singled to open the frame, Lauren Dunbar delivered a ground-rule double to put two runners in scoring position. Emma Moore then lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the go-ahead run and give Belhaven a 4-3 advantage.  

Belhaven's pitching staff made the lead stand the rest of the way.

Starter AR Sharp worked the first three innings before Laura Beth Nesmith entered in relief and delivered four scoreless innings. Nesmith allowed just four hits while striking out four to earn the win and seal the one-run victory.  

Maryanna Guy led the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Harbour also recorded two hits. The Blazers finished the game with 10 hits in the win.  

Belhaven will wrap up play at The Spring Games on Saturday with games vs. SUNY Fredonia and Marietta on Saturday. First pitch is set for 11:15 AM CST.

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