Belhaven University Athletics

SALEM, Va. - Belhaven kept its season alive Friday evening, avenging an early-season loss to Mount Union with a 3-2 victory in an elimination game at the NCAA Division III Softball Finals at the Moyer Complex.

The Blazers improved to 43-11 on the season and advanced to another elimination game on Saturday against No. 8 seed Rowan at 12:30 p.m. CST. The victory also avenged a 7-6 loss to Mount Union during the NFCA Leadoff Classic on March 6th in Columbus, Georgia.

In a matchup that featured two of the nation's top pitching staffs, every run proved critical. Belhaven managed just six hits on the night, but two swings from Melissa Lopera and Liberty Gillihan proved to be the difference while Macy Funderburk delivered one of her strongest performances of the season in the circle.

The junior from West Monroe, La. tossed her fifth complete game of the year and third complete game of the NCAA Tournament, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out four in a 87-pitch effort.

Mount Union threatened immediately in the first inning after a single and an error put two runners aboard with one out. Funderburk remained composed, inducing a lineout and flyout to strand both runners and keep the game scoreless.

Belhaven created opportunities in each of the first three innings but could not break through. Lauren Dunbar singled in the second after an Ellie Williamson reach on an error, while Grace Langston singled in the third. However, Mount Union escaped both threats to keep the game tied.

The breakthrough finally came in the fourth. After Kaleigh Steverson lined a single up the middle, Lopera stepped to the plate and delivered the biggest swing of the night. The junior shortstop launched a two-run home run to left-center field, giving Belhaven a 2-0 lead and energizing the Blazer dugout.

Funderburk protected the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Mount Union put two runners on with one out following a single and another base hit, but Funderburk induced a groundout and another routine out to strand both runners and preserve the two-run advantage.

The Purple Raiders finally got on the board in the fifth. A leadoff double moved to third on a sacrifice bunt before a groundout brought home the run, cutting the Belhaven lead to 2-1. Funderburk limited the damage there, retiring the next hitter to end the inning.

An inning later, Mount Union pulled even when a solo home run down the left-field line tied the game at 2-2.

With momentum beginning to swing, Belhaven answered immediately. Leading off the seventh, Gillihan turned on the first pitch she saw and sent it over the wall in right field for a go-ahead solo home run. The blast restored the Blazers' lead at 3-2 and ultimately proved to be the game-winning run.

That left the game in Funderburk's hands one final time. She responded with a dominant seventh inning, striking out the leadoff hitter before recording a pop out and a groundout to end the game and send Belhaven into Saturday.

Lopera finished 1-for-3 with her two-run homer, while Gillihan went 1-for-3 with the game-winning home run. Steverson, Dunbar, Langston and Maryanna Guy each added a hit as the Blazers collected six hits overall.

Belhaven will continue its NCAA Division III Finals run on Saturday afternoon when the Blazers face No. 8 seed Rowan in another elimination game. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 PM CST.

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