COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Belhaven Softball team wrapped up the second day at the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Saturday with a split against two strong opponents, falling to No. 1 ranked Trine before bouncing back with a pitchers duel win over Denison.

The Thunder, ranked No. 1 in the country and the defending NCAA Division III National Champions, edged the Blazers 6-4 in the opener before Belhaven responded with a 2-1 victory in the second game of the day vs. Denison.

Game One: No. 1 Trine 6, Belhaven 4
Belhaven battled the top-ranked Thunder throughout the opener, matching Trine with 11 hits, but a decisive fourth inning by the defending national champions proved to be the difference.

Trine struck first in the opening inning after a two-out double set up an RBI double down the left-field line to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Belhaven quickly answered in the bottom half. Melissa Lopera opened the inning with a single, and Kaleigh Steverson delivered a clutch RBI double to right-center to even the score at 1-1.

After a scoreless second inning, Trine regained the lead in the third. A triple to start the frame set up an RBI single, and a defensive miscue allowed another run to score, pushing the Thunder ahead 3-1.

The Blazers responded with their best offensive stretch in the bottom of the third. Reagan Bryan singled to spark the rally before Steverson ripped another RBI double to trim the deficit to 3-2. Ellie Williamson followed with an RBI double to tie the game, and Lauren Dunbar delivered a third consecutive extra-base hit with a double to left to give Belhaven a 4-3 advantage.

Trine answered immediately in the fourth inning. A walk and single set up a two-run double that reclaimed the lead for the Thunder, and a subsequent RBI single extended the advantage to 6-4.

Belhaven had opportunities to climb back into the game. Maddie Bruner doubled in the fourth inning to put a runner in scoring position, but the Thunder escaped the inning without allowing a run. In the sixth, Grace Langston singled and Liberty Gillihan walked to bring the tying run to the plate, but a strikeout and lineout ended the threat.

The Blazers added another late opportunity in the seventh when Ellie Williamson walked and Dunbar singled to bring the tying run aboard, but a strikeout ended the comeback attempt.

Steverson led the Belhaven offense with three hits and two RBI, while Dunbar collected three hits and an RBI. Williamson added an RBI double as part of Belhaven's 11-hit effort.

Macy Funderburk was outstanding in relief, allowing just five hits while striking out seven over four scoreless innings to keep the Blazers within reach against the nation's top-ranked team  .

Game Two: Belhaven 2, Denison 1
Belhaven responded with a strong pitching performance in the second game of the day, edging Denison 2-1 behind dominant work in the circle and a timely sixth-inning rally.

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings as AR Sharp set the tone early, recording multiple strikeouts and limiting Denison's opportunities.

Denison broke through in the fourth inning with a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead. Sharp quickly settled in afterward, retiring the next batter and continuing to keep the Blazers within striking distance.

Belhaven finally found its breakthrough in the sixth inning. Reagan Bryan sparked the rally with a triple to left field. Moments later, Maryanna Guy lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that brought Bryan home to tie the game at 1-1.

The next batter, Kaleigh Steverson, delivered the decisive swing of the game, launching a solo home run to right field to give Belhaven a 2-1 lead.

Sharp continued her dominant outing in the circle, finishing six innings with 11 strikeouts while allowing just four hits and one run. Macy Funderburk closed the door in the seventh inning, striking out two batters in a perfect frame to secure the save.

Bryan led the offense with two hits including a triple and scored the tying run, while Steverson went 2-for-3 with the go-ahead home run. Lopera also added a hit and a stolen base as the Blazers collected five hits in the win.

The Blazers wrap up the NFCA Leadoff Classic with two more games later this weekend.

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