SALEM, Va. - Belhaven Softball is back on the national stage.

After winning the Belhaven Regional and sweeping UW-Oshkosh in the Jackson Super Regional, the Blazers will make their second NCAA Division III Finals appearance in the last three seasons. Belhaven will head to Salem, Virginia as the No. 7 seed and open tournament play against No. 2 seed and defending national champion Trine on Thursday, May 28 at 3:00 p.m. CT.

The 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Championship Finals will be held May 28 through June 3 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia. The event is hosted by the City of Salem and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

The eight-team field will begin with a double-elimination bracket from Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31. The two remaining teams will advance to a best-of-three Championship Series, scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3.

Belhaven will open Thursday against Trine in the third game of the day. The winner will advance to face the winner of No. 3 Simpson and No. 6 Mount Union on Friday at 4:00 p.m. ET. The loser will face the loser of Simpson and Mount Union in an elimination game Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Follow Along

Fans can follow the Blazers throughout the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Finals using the links below.

Tournament Central: click here
Tickets: click here
NCAA Championships Pass: click here
Live Stats: click here
NCAA Bracket: click here

How Belhaven Got Here

Belhaven enters Salem after one of the strongest postseason stretches in program history.

The Blazers first secured the Collegiate Conference of the South Regular Season title after going 15-1 in league play, then battled through the CCS Tournament after dropping their opening game. Belhaven responded with five straight wins, including two victories over Huntingdon on championship Saturday, to capture its second straight CCS Tournament title and earn the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

At the center of the CCS Tournament run was Macy Funderburk, who was named tournament MVP for the second consecutive season. The junior went 5-0 across six appearances, set a CCS Tournament record with 32.0 innings pitched and improved to 9-0 all-time in CCS Tournament games.

Belhaven then hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time in program history and opened with an 8-2 win over Westminster (Pa.). The Blazers hit four home runs in the victory, the most the program has ever hit in an NCAA postseason game. Reagan Bryan, Maryanna Guy, Kaleigh Steverson and Maddie Bruner all went deep as Belhaven erased an early 2-0 deficit.

The Blazers followed with a 9-1 run-rule win over Emory to move into the regional championship round. Belhaven scored in each of the first three innings and received three hits from Ellie Williamson, two RBI from Steverson and another strong start from Funderburk.

After Emory forced a winner-take-all final with a 15-7 win, Belhaven answered behind a complete-game shutout from Funderburk and a late two-run single from Liberty Gillihan to win 4-0 and advance to the Super Regional round. Funderburk was named NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player, while Williamson, Lauren Dunbar and Steverson were named to the Regional All-Tournament Team.

Belhaven then swept UW-Oshkosh in the Jackson Super Regional, outscoring the Titans 15-3 across two games. The Blazers closed the series with a 10-2 win, powered by Gillihan's three-hit, three-RBI performance and another strong outing from Funderburk.

Gillihan was named Jackson Super Regional Most Outstanding Player after finishing the series 3-for-7 with a triple, double, four RBI and three runs scored. Funderburk earned Most Outstanding Pitcher honors after going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and allowing just 10 hits in 12.1 innings pitched.

Belhaven enters the Finals with a 42-10 record and has won nine NCAA Tournament games over the last two postseasons.

Belhaven vs. Trine Preview

Belhaven's opening matchup comes against one of the most successful programs in Division III softball. Trine enters Salem as the No. 2 seed and defending national champion. The Thunder are making their fourth trip to the final site in the last five seasons and have reached the Championship Series in each of their previous three appearances during that stretch.

The two teams have already met once this season. Trine defeated Belhaven 6-4 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia on March 7. Both teams finished with 11 hits in the game. Belhaven led 4-3 after a three-run third inning before Trine answered with three runs in the fourth.

Steverson led the Blazers in that matchup, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Dunbar also added three hits for Belhaven. In the circle, Funderburk threw four scoreless innings in relief and struck out seven.

Trine brings one of the nation's most powerful offenses to Salem. The Thunder rank first nationally in slugging percentage and home runs per game, second in scoring, third in batting average and second in on-base percentage. Debbie Hill, Emma Lee and Tyra Marcum power the middle of the lineup and have combined to carry much of Trine's offensive production.

Hill was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Player after helping Trine win two elimination games against Muhlenberg. She earned a complete-game win in the circle in Game 2 before hitting a walk-off two-run home run in the decisive game. Lee was named MIAA Most Valuable Position Player, while Marcum has been one of the country's top power bats.

Belhaven counters with a lineup that ranks among the top 25 nationally in slugging percentage, scoring, home runs per game and strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Blazers rank 10th nationally in slugging percentage and 16th in on-base percentage.

Guy, Steverson, Lopera, Williamson, Langston, Bryan, Bruner, Gillihan and Dunbar give Belhaven depth throughout the order. In the circle, Funderburk has been the Blazers' postseason anchor, while Karley Rouse and AR Sharp have also provided important innings.

The Field

No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan

Virginia Wesleyan enters Salem as the top seed, the top-ranked team in the country and the only unbeaten team in the field. The Marlins are back in the NCAA Division III Finals for the third time in four seasons and enter four wins away from tying the NCAA Division III record for most consecutive victories.

The Marlins enter at 50-0 after sweeping Case Western Reserve in the Super Regional. Virginia Wesleyan won Game 1 behind a perfect game from Hannah Hearl, then rolled to a 15-0 win in Game 2 behind a dominant offensive performance.

Virginia Wesleyan ranks first nationally in batting average, on-base percentage, scoring, ERA, WHIP, winning percentage, shutouts, hits allowed per seven innings and strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Morgan Tucker was named ODAC Player of the Year and Super Regional Most Outstanding Player, while Hearl was named ODAC Pitcher of the Year and Super Regional Most Outstanding Pitcher. Emma Adams, Taylor McQueen, Alison Pollack, Samantha Deitsch, Sarah Prosser and Laci Campbell help give the Marlins one of the deepest rosters in the country.

Virginia Wesleyan will open the Finals against No. 8 Rowan. 

No. 2 Trine

Trine returns to Salem as the defending national champion and one of the most powerful teams in the country. The Thunder won their seventh straight MIAA regular season title and fifth straight MIAA Tournament title before navigating both the regional and super regional rounds through elimination games.

The Thunder enter at 38-6 after winning two elimination games against Muhlenberg in the Super Regional. Trine dropped the opener 8-2, then responded with a 12-1 win in Game 2 and a 3-1 extra-inning walk-off win in Game 3.

Trine ranks first nationally in slugging percentage and home runs per game, second in scoring, third in batting average and second in on-base percentage. Hill, Lee and Marcum have been three of the country's top power threats, while Macy Rocha, Karley Trine, Clare Feehan, Jo Trine and Whitney Duell give the Thunder plenty of lineup depth.

Hill was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Player after a standout two-way performance. She earned a complete-game win in the circle in Game 2 and hit the walk-off home run in Game 3.

Trine will open against No. 7 Belhaven.

No. 3 Simpson

Simpson is back at the final site for the first time since the program won the 1999 National Championship. The Storm won the A-R-C Tournament for the first time in program history and then carried that momentum into a dramatic NCAA Tournament run.

Simpson enters at 39-6 after sweeping Saint Mary's in the Super Regional, winning 8-3 and 8-5. The Storm reached the Super Regional round after winning the Indianola Regional with two dramatic seventh-inning comebacks over Saint Benedict.

Simpson ranks seventh nationally in slugging percentage and eighth in home runs per game. Ashlyn Steen leads the offense with a .507 batting average, five home runs, 30 RBI, 68 runs scored and 44 stolen bases. Megan Heidelbauer has added nine home runs and 67 RBI, while Mackenzie James, Katie Shaner, Addison Gookin and Brielyn Ginnaty provide more power throughout the order.

In the circle, Emma LaFave and Marina Cronin have combined for 35 of Simpson's 39 wins. LaFave was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Pitcher, while Steen earned Super Regional Most Outstanding Player honors.

Simpson will open against No. 6 Mount Union. Belhaven could face Simpson on Friday, with a win over Trine sending the Blazers to a 4:00 p.m. ET matchup against the Simpson-Mount Union winner, while a loss would send Belhaven to a 6:30 p.m. ET elimination game against the Simpson-Mount Union loser.

No. 4 Linfield

Linfield returns to Salem for the fourth straight season and the 10th time overall. The Wildcats enter the Finals on a 12-game winning streak and have been one of the hottest teams in the field.

Linfield enters at 42-6 after sweeping Moravian in the Super Regional. The Wildcats won Game 2 by a 9-5 final after building an early 6-0 lead and holding off a Moravian rally.

The Wildcats rank third nationally in slugging percentage and scoring, second in home runs and third in doubles. Meara Sain leads Division III in doubles and is closing in on the national single-season record. Ashlyn Aven leads Division III in home runs and is one of the country's top run producers.

Breanna Bartek was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Player, while Tyler McNeley was named Most Outstanding Pitcher. McNeley has anchored the pitching staff, while Cydney Hess, Kaia Young, Lexiss Antle, Emily Foytack and Sophie Pappas have all contributed to a dangerous lineup.

Linfield will open against No. 5 Redlands.

No. 5 Redlands

Redlands returns to Salem for the second straight season after winning two elimination games against Texas Lutheran in the Super Regional. The Bulldogs dropped the opening game of the series before winning 3-1 and 5-4 to advance.

Redlands enters at 43-6 after claiming both the SCIAC regular season and tournament titles. The Bulldogs also won the Wartburg Regional, defeating Illinois Wesleyan twice on championship Saturday to advance.

The Bulldogs rank fifth nationally in batting average and fourth in winning percentage. Katlyn Gandara has been one of the top two-way players in the country and was named SCIAC Athlete of the Year. She has been joined by Jenay Scott, Brooklyn Bard, Adyson Kim, Natalie Lowthers, Leila Gomez and Avery Provenzano in a deep offensive group.

Lowthers was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Player after hitting .455 in the series with a double, home run and five RBI, including a grand slam in the deciding game. Caitlynn Griffith was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Pitcher after appearing in all three games and helping close out the series.

Redlands will open against No. 4 Linfield. 

No. 6 Mount Union

Mount Union is making its first NCAA Division III Finals appearance in program history. The Purple Raiders swept UMass Dartmouth in the Super Regional, winning 5-2 and 4-1, to continue a historic postseason run.

Mount Union enters at 35-7 after winning the Mount Union Regional and then capturing the Super Regional title. The Purple Raiders defeated Christopher Newport twice on championship Saturday in the regional before sweeping UMass Dartmouth.

Mount Union ranks 14th nationally in ERA and 11th in WHIP. Kendyll Cahill has been the leader in the circle and at the plate. The OAC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA First Team All-Region selection threw complete games in both Super Regional wins and also hit a two-run homer in Game 2.

Sydney Mercer, Allison Jones, Addy Antonetz, Lydia Brunner, Grace Bates, Kaitlyn Culver and Faith Reicosky have all played major roles in Mount Union's lineup. Mercer, Jones, Antonetz and Cahill were all named to the Mount Union Regional All-Tournament Team, with Cahill earning Tournament MVP honors.

Mount Union will open against No. 3 Simpson. Belhaven could face Mount Union on Friday, May 29, with a win over Trine sending the Blazers to a 4:00 p.m. ET matchup against the Simpson-Mount Union winner, while a loss would send Belhaven to a 6:30 p.m. ET elimination game against the Simpson-Mount Union loser.

No. 7 Belhaven

Belhaven is back in Salem for the second time in three seasons. The Blazers won the CCS regular season and tournament titles, hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time, won the regional championship and then swept UW-Oshkosh in the Jackson Super Regional.

The Blazers enter at 42-10 after winning the Belhaven Regional and Jackson Super Regional on their home field. Belhaven has won nine NCAA Tournament games over the last two postseasons and advanced to the Championship Series in 2024.

Belhaven ranks 10th nationally in slugging percentage, 16th in on-base percentage and sixth in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Guy has been one of the top hitters in the lineup, while Steverson, Lopera, Williamson, Langston, Bryan, Bruner, Gillihan and Dunbar give the Blazers balance throughout the order.

Funderburk has been the postseason anchor in the circle. She was named CCS Tournament MVP, NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player and Jackson Super Regional Most Outstanding Pitcher. Gillihan was named Jackson Super Regional Most Outstanding Player after helping lead the Blazers past UW-Oshkosh.

Belhaven will open against No. 2 Trine. Belhaven opens tournament play Thursday, May 28 at 3:00 p.m. CT against No. 2 Trine and will remain on the same side of the bracket as Simpson and Mount Union until at least Saturday.

No. 8 Rowan

Rowan is back in the NCAA Division III Finals for the fourth straight season and the 10th time in program history. The Profs won their third straight NJAC Championship and then battled through the Marshall Regional, defeating host East Texas Baptist twice on championship Saturday.

Rowan enters at 42-9 after sweeping Colby in the Super Regional. The Profs won Game 1 by a 1-0 walk-off before taking Game 2 by a 3-0 final. Rowan has now posted three straight postseason shutouts.

The Profs rank third nationally in ERA, fifth in WHIP and second in shutouts. Emily McCutcheon earned Super Regional Most Outstanding Pitcher honors, while Zoey Rogers was named Super Regional Most Outstanding Player. BethAnne Doderer gives Rowan another high-level arm in the circle.

Ava Fisher, Kate Evick, Zara MacNair, Mikayla Dansky, Abigail Pawlowski and Rogers help lead the offense. Fisher hit a two-run home run in the Super Regional clincher, while Dansky has been one of the nation's top base stealers.

Rowan will open against No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan. 

Full Tournament Schedule

Thursday, May 28

Game 1 at 11:00 a.m. ET: No. 8 Rowan vs. No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan

Game 2 at 1:30 p.m. ET: No. 5 Redlands vs. No. 4 Linfield

Game 3 at 4:00 p.m. ET: No. 7 Belhaven vs. No. 2 Trine

Game 4 at 6:30 p.m. ET: No. 6 Mount Union vs. No. 3 Simpson

Friday, May 29

Game 5 at 11:00 a.m. ET: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

Game 6 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, Elimination Game

Game 7 at 4:00 p.m. ET: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Game 8 at 6:30 p.m. ET: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, Elimination Game

Saturday, May 30

Game 9 at 11:00 a.m. ET: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, Elimination Game

Game 10 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 5, Elimination Game

Sunday, May 31

Game 11 at 11:00 a.m. ET: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 9, Possible Elimination Game

Game 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 10, Possible Elimination Game

Game 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET, if necessary: Winner Game 11 vs. Loser Game 11, Elimination Game

Game 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET, if necessary: Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 12, Elimination Game

If only one of Games 13 or 14 is needed, it will be played 50 minutes after Game 12.

Monday, June 1

Off day, practice for both remaining teams

Tuesday, June 2

Game 15 at 11:00 a.m. ET: Winner Game 11/13 vs. Winner Game 12/14, Championship Series Game 1

Wednesday, June 3

Game 16 at 11:00 a.m. ET: Winner Game 15 vs. Loser Game 15, Championship Series Game 2

Game 17 at 1:30 p.m. ET, if necessary: Winner Game 16 vs. Loser Game 16, Championship Series Game 3

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