Belhaven University Athletics

JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven is headed back to the NCAA Division III Finals.

Behind another dominant postseason performance from Macy Funderburk and a huge day at the plate from Liberty Gillihan, the Blazers defeated Wisconsin-Oshkosh 10-2 on Friday afternoon at Jim McLeod Field to sweep the NCAA Division III Jackson Super Regional and advance to the program's second NCAA Division III Finals appearance in the last three seasons.

Belhaven will head to Salem, Virginia as the No. 7 seed in the NCAA Division III Finals and will open tournament play against No. 2 seed and defending national champion Trine. The two teams previously met earlier this season in the NFCA Leadoff Classic on March 7, with the Thunder earning a 6-4 win.

The Blazers previously reached the NCAA Finals in 2024, advancing all the way to the Championship Series before falling to East Texas Baptist.

Friday's victory completed a dominant two-game Super Regional performance for Belhaven, which outscored UW-Oshkosh 15-3 across the series while hitting .339 as a team with 20 hits.

Funderburk was once again the steady force in the circle. One day after tossing a complete-game four-hitter in Game 1, the junior earned another victory Friday after allowing just two runs over 5.1 innings before Karley Rouse closed out the final five outs. Across the Super Regional, Funderburk went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and allowed just 10 hits in 12.1 innings pitched, earning Jackson Super Regional Most Outstanding Pitcher honors.

Gillihan, meanwhile, delivered one of the biggest offensive weekends of her career and was named Jackson Super Regional Most Outstanding Player. The junior finished the series 3-for-7 with a triple, double, four RBI, and three runs scored, including a 3-for-4 performance in Friday's clincher.

Belhaven grabbed control early Friday afternoon. Melissa Lopera started the second inning with a single to center before Gillihan ripped an RBI triple into right field to score the game's first run. Maddie Bruner followed with a sacrifice fly to right, bringing home Gillihan and giving the Blazers a 2-0 lead.

Funderburk continued to cruise in the circle through the early innings, striking out four batters while keeping the Titans off balance. UW-Oshkosh threatened in the fourth after loading the bases with two outs, but Funderburk induced a flyout to left field to escape the jam and preserve the shutout.

Belhaven broke the game open in the fifth. Kaleigh Steverson singled to start the inning before Lopera reached on an error and Lauren Dunbar followed with another single to load the bases. Gillihan delivered again with a two-run double into right center, scoring Steverson and Lopera to push the lead to 4-0.

Later in the inning, Bruner added her second sacrifice fly of the afternoon before Grace Langston lined an RBI single through the right side, stretching the advantage to 6-0. The Titans finally answered in the sixth after a two-run homer cut the deficit to 7-2, but Belhaven responded immediately in the top of the seventh.

Madeline Bullock opened the inning with a single before Lily Wainwright drew a walk. After Reagan Bryan moved both runners into scoring position, Maryanna Guy delivered the knockout swing of the day, launching a three-run home run to left field to extend the lead to 10-2.

Rouse closed the door in the bottom of the seventh despite a leadoff error, retiring the final two hitters to secure the Super Regional title.

Belhaven finished with 12 hits in the clinching victory. Gillihan went 3-for-4 with a triple, double, and three RBI, while Guy finished 1-for-4 with the decisive three-run homer. Steverson collected two hits and an RBI, and Lopera added three hits and two stolen bases.

The Blazers now head to Salem with momentum firmly on their side after winning nine NCAA Tournament games over the last two postseasons and capturing both the NCAA Regional and Super Regional titles on their home field.

Stay tuned early next week for an NCAA Tournament preview.

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. To support Belhaven Athletics check out Team Green Giving.