OXFORD, Ala. - Belhaven Softball opened play at the 2026 CCS Softball Championship on Thursday with a tight loss to Maryville before bouncing back in a must-win elimination game with a dominant run-rule victory over Covenant at Choccolocco Park.
With the split, the Blazers will face Piedmont in another elimination game on Friday at 2:00 p.m.
Game 1: Maryville 3, Belhaven 2
Maryville struck early and held off a late push from Belhaven to take the opener. The Scots wasted no time in the first inning, using a pair of base hits before a three-run home run to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
Belhaven turned to
Macy Funderburk in relief, and the junior settled things down from there. She worked through traffic and limited further damage, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just one run and striking out six to keep the Blazers within reach.
The Blazers had chances throughout but couldn't break through early. A pair of runners reached in the fourth, and another opportunity came in the fifth after a leadoff single, but Maryville's defense held firm each time. Belhaven finally broke through in the seventh.
Madeline Bullock worked a leadoff walk, and
Grace Langston followed with a single to put two on. After a flyout,
Maryanna Guy was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Kaleigh Steverson came through with a clutch single up the middle, bringing in a run while a fielding error allowed another to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
With the tying run at third and the go-ahead run on second, the Blazers had a chance to flip the game, but a pair of pop ups ended the rally and the game.
Game 2: Belhaven 10, Covenant 0 (5 innings)
Facing elimination, Belhaven responded with its most complete performance of the tournament. After three scoreless innings, the Blazers broke the game open in the fourth with a 10-run inning that featured timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and pressure that Covenant couldn't handle.
The inning started with a walk and a single before
Ellie Williamson's ball to the outfield forced an error that brought in the first run. Moments later,
Liberty Gillihan added an RBI single to make it 2-0.
The momentum only grew from there. Another error allowed a third run to score, and
Madeline Bullock followed with an RBI single.
Reagan Bryan then delivered a two-run double to stretch the lead, and
Maryanna Guy capped the inning with a two-run home run to center, pushing the advantage to 8-0.
Belhaven continued to pile on with RBI singles from Gillihan and
Lauren Dunbar to reach double digits before the inning finally ended. In total, the Blazers scored 10 runs on 10 hits in the frame, forcing multiple errors and turning the game into a rout.
In the circle, Funderburk and
AR Sharp combined to shut down Covenant. The duo allowed just two hits while striking out four and working efficiently through five scoreless innings. Covenant's best chance came in the fourth after a leadoff single, but the Blazers erased the threat with a fielder's choice and two quick outs to keep the shutout intact.
Belhaven now turns its attention to Friday's elimination matchup against Piedmont, with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m. as the Blazers continue their push through the CCS Tournament bracket.
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