JACKSON, Miss. - In a rematch of last season's CCS Tournament Championship Game, the No. 18 Belhaven University softball team delivered a statement performance on Friday, sweeping Huntingdon in a doubleheader at Jim McLeod Field.

The sweep marked the first time Huntingdon has been swept in a regular season doubleheader since April 24, 2022, as the Blazers used timely hitting and resilient pitching to take both games.

Game One - Belhaven 3, Huntingdon 1
Belhaven leaned on pitching and situational hitting to take a tightly contested opener.

After working around an early baserunner in the top of the first, the Blazers struck first in the bottom half. Reagan Bryan doubled to center and came around to score on an RBI double from Maryanna Guy, giving Belhaven a 1-0 lead.  

Huntingdon threatened in the second inning, putting a runner at third after a double and an error, but Karley Rouse induced a groundout to escape the jam and keep the lead intact.  

Rouse continued to work efficiently, stranding another runner in scoring position in the third by recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.

The Blazers added crucial insurance in the fourth. Kaleigh Steverson singled to start the frame and Liberty Gillihan followed with a walk. After Lauren Dunbar loaded the bases with a single, Maddie Bruner delivered the key swing, lining a two-run single to right that stretched the lead to 3-0.  

Belhaven's defense held firm the rest of the way. Huntingdon pushed across a run in the seventh after an error and a base hit put pressure on the Blazers, but AR Sharp entered in relief and shut the door, striking out three in the final inning to secure the win.  

Rouse earned the win, allowing just three hits over six innings while working through multiple tight spots to limit damage.  

Game Two - Belhaven 7, Huntingdon 6
Game two turned into a back-and-forth battle, with Belhaven rallying late to complete the sweep.

Huntingdon jumped out early, scoring in the first on an RBI triple and adding two more in the second to take a 3-0 lead. The visitors extended the advantage to 5-0 in the fourth after a pair of hits and a sacrifice fly.  

Belhaven began to chip away in the fifth. With the bases loaded, Lily Wainwright delivered a two-run single down the left field line to get the Blazers on the board. Moments later, Maryanna Guy came through with a two-run single to cut the deficit to 5-4.  

In the sixth, Belhaven completed the comeback. Lauren Dunbar tied the game with an RBI double, and Maddie Bruner followed with an RBI triple to give the Blazers their first lead of the game at 6-5.  

Huntingdon answered in the seventh with a sacrifice fly to even the score at 6-6, setting up a dramatic finish.

In the bottom half, Belhaven loaded the bases after a double from Kaleigh Steverson, a walk, and an error. Dunbar then stepped in and drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing home the game-winning run to seal the 7-6 victory.  

Belhaven's pitching staff combined to weather early pressure and keep the game within reach. After Huntingdon's early surge, the Blazers limited further damage, including escaping a sixth-inning threat with runners on base to keep the deficit manageable. Karley Rouse closed the game in the circle, working through the final inning to earn her second win on the day.

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