JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Softball team saw its 10-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday evening, splitting a home doubleheader against Illinois Wesleyan at Jim McLeod Field. The Blazers rallied for a 4-3 walk-off victory in game one before falling 5-4 in the nightcap.    

Game One - Belhaven 4, Illinois Wesleyan 3
Belhaven used late-inning heroics to secure a walk-off win in the opener, overcoming early defensive miscues to complete the comeback.

After two scoreless innings, the Blazers broke through in the bottom of the second. Grace Langston delivered an RBI single up the middle to score Ellie Williamson, giving Belhaven a 1-0 lead.  

Illinois Wesleyan answered in the third inning, capitalizing on a pair of Belhaven errors. A two-run sequence, highlighted by an RBI single from Riley McDoniel and a run-scoring groundout from Isabella Boskey, gave the visitors a 2-1 advantage. 

The Blazers settled in defensively after the shaky frame, with Karley Rouse working out of traffic multiple times. In the sixth inning, Rouse navigated a two-on, one-out situation before inducing a key double play to keep the deficit at one and give Belhaven a chance late.  

Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, Belhaven began its comeback when Maryanna Guy drove in a run with a single through the left side, cutting the deficit to 3-2.  

The Blazers pulled even in the sixth inning as Liberty Gillihan tripled to right center and later scored on an RBI single from Maddie Bruner, tying the game at 3-3.  

After Macy Funderburk entered in relief and recorded a clean top of the seventh, Belhaven wasted no time in the bottom half. Melissa Lopera stepped to the plate and launched a walk-off home run to left field, sealing the 4-3 victory and extending the Blazers' momentum early in the day.  

Lopera finished 2-for-4 with the game-winning homer, while Gillihan added a pair of hits and a triple. Bruner and Langston each drove in a run as part of Belhaven's eight-hit effort.  

Game Two - Illinois Wesleyan 5, Belhaven 4
In the second game, Belhaven jumped out early once again but could not hold off a late push from Illinois Wesleyan, as the visitors scored twice in the seventh to complete the comeback and snap the Blazers' 10-game win streak.

Illinois Wesleyan struck first in the opening inning, taking advantage of an error before a sacrifice fly brought home the game's first run.  

Belhaven responded immediately in the bottom half. Kaleigh Steverson tied the game with an RBI double that also led to an additional base on an error, and Liberty Gillihan followed with an RBI single to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead after one.  

The Blazers added to their lead in the third inning when Lily Wainwright delivered an RBI single to score Maryanna Guy, extending the advantage to 3-1.  

Illinois Wesleyan chipped away in the fourth, using an RBI single from Casey Wissmiller to cut the lead to 3-2.  

After the visitors tied the game in the fifth, Belhaven answered in the bottom half. A series of well-placed hits and productive outs led to a go-ahead run, with Gillihan driving in the run on a fielder's choice to put the Blazers back in front, 4-3.  

The Blazers' pitching staff worked through multiple tight situations, including a scoreless sixth inning that stranded a baserunner and preserved the one-run lead heading into the final frame.  

In the seventh, Illinois Wesleyan broke through. A leadoff single followed by a bunt hit set the table before a sacrifice fly tied the game. Moments later, Anna Beckman delivered a go-ahead triple to right center, giving the visitors a 5-4 lead.  

Belhaven threatened in the bottom of the seventh, drawing a walk to bring the tying run aboard, but the Blazers were unable to capitalize as Illinois Wesleyan closed out the game.

Gillihan led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Steverson added a pair of hits including a double. Guy also recorded two hits and scored a run.  

With the split, Belhaven moves to 16-7 on the season as its 10-game winning streak comes to an end. The Blazers will look to bounce back as they travel to Agnes Scott for a doubleheader on Friday.