Belhaven University Athletics

SALEM, Va. - For the second straight day, Belhaven found itself playing with its season on the line.

For the second straight day, the Blazers answered the challenge.

No. 7 seed Belhaven scored four runs in the opening inning and got another clutch relief outing from Macy Funderburk as the Blazers defeated No. 8 seed Rowan 4-2 Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Division III Softball Finals at the Moyer Complex.

The win improves Belhaven to 44-11 on the season and moves the Blazers one step closer to the NCAA Division III Championship Series. Belhaven will now face No. 2 seed Trine on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CT in another elimination game. The Thunder defeated the Blazers 7-5 in Thursday's opening round, meaning Belhaven must defeat Trine twice on Sunday to advance to the Championship Series.

Rowan entered the contest after knocking off previously unbeaten No. 1 seed Virginia Wesleyan earlier in the tournament, handing the Marlins their first loss of the season after a 50-0 start.

Belhaven wasted no time jumping in front. Grace Langston led off the game with a single before Maryanna Guy followed with a base hit to put two runners aboard. After Ellie Williamson battled before a strikeout, Kaleigh Steverson lined an RBI single up the middle to score Reagan Bryan and give the Blazers a 1-0 lead.

One batter later, Melissa Lopera delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon. After homering against Mount Union on Friday, the junior shortstop went deep again Saturday, sending a three-run home run just inside the left field foul pole. The blast scored Guy and Steverson and capped a four-run opening inning for the Blazers.

Karley Rouse worked around traffic throughout the first three innings to protect the early lead. Rowan put multiple runners aboard in both the second and third innings, but the junior pitcher stranded three runners and kept the Profs off the scoreboard.

The Profs finally broke through in the fourth. After a pair of hits put runners in scoring position, Rowan scored its first run on a stolen home plate before adding an RBI single later in the inning to trim the Belhaven lead to 4-2. With runners on base and momentum beginning to shift, head coach Kevin Griffin turned to Funderburk out of the bullpen.

The junior immediately delivered. Funderburk struck out back-to-back hitters to strand three runners and preserve the two-run advantage. It proved to be one of the biggest moments of the game.

Belhaven threatened to add insurance in the sixth when Steverson doubled down the left field line, but Rowan escaped the inning still trailing by two.

The Profs mounted one final challenge in the bottom of the sixth. Back-to-back singles and a Belhaven error loaded the bases with one out, putting the tying run ninety feet away. Once again, Funderburk worked out of trouble, striking out one batter before inducing a pop up to second base to end the threat and keep the Blazers in front.

Funderburk returned for the seventh and retired two of the final three hitters after a one-out single, securing Belhaven's second consecutive elimination-game victory.

Lopera finished 1-for-3 with her second home run in as many days and three RBI. Guy and Steverson each recorded two hits, while Langston and Lauren Dunbar added one hit apiece. Rouse allowed two runs over three innings before Funderburk earned her 22nd victory of the season with four scoreless innings of relief, striking out five.

Belhaven will return to the field Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CT against No. 2 seed Trine. The Blazers will need two victories over the defending national champions to advance to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Series.

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.