Belhaven University Athletics

SALEM, Va. - One of the most successful seasons in Belhaven Softball history came to an end this weekend at the NCAA Division III Softball Finals.

Seventh-seeded Belhaven battled until the final out but could not overcome an early deficit, falling 5-2 to No. 2 seed and defending national champion Trine in an elimination game at the Moyer Complex. The loss ends the Blazers' season at 44-12 overall, tied for the fourth-most wins in a single season in program history.

Belhaven's run to the national semifinals marks the second-furthest NCAA Tournament finish in the program's NCAA era, trailing only the 2024 team that advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Series. Along the way, the Blazers captured their second consecutive CCS Tournament championship, hosted and won their first NCAA Regional, claimed the Jackson Super Regional title, and reached the NCAA Division III Finals for the second time in three seasons.

Facing a Trine team that entered the day needing just one win to advance to the Championship Series, the Blazers found themselves trailing early. The Thunder struck in the bottom of the first inning when a leadoff single was followed two batters later by a two-run home run to left field, giving Trine a 2-0 advantage.

Belhaven threatened in the second. Melissa Lopera drew a walk and Maddie Bruner followed with a single to left-center field, putting two runners aboard with two outs. However, Trine escaped the inning with a flyout to keep the Blazers off the board.

The Blazers answered in the third. Maryanna Guy, who earned NFCA Second Team All-America honors earlier in the week, launched a solo home run to center field to cut the deficit to 2-1. The blast was her 12th home run of the season and continued a postseason run that included several key hits throughout Belhaven's NCAA Tournament journey.

Trine responded in the bottom half of the inning. A single, another base hit, and a walk loaded the bases with two outs before a two-run single through the middle extended the Thunder lead to 4-1. Despite the rally, AR Sharp recorded the final out of the inning to prevent further damage.

One inning later, Belhaven turned to Macy Funderburk out of the bullpen. The junior immediately worked out of trouble after allowing a leadoff single and a walk. With two runners aboard, Funderburk induced a fly ball to center that turned into an inning-ending double play, keeping the deficit at three runs.

Funderburk continued to keep the Blazers within striking distance. After Trine added a solo home run in the fifth to make it 5-1, she retired four of the final five hitters she faced and struck out four over three innings of relief.

Belhaven mounted one final push in the sixth. Guy singled through the left side and was replaced by pinch runner Maddie Keller. After Ellie Williamson moved Keller into scoring position with a flyout, Lopera delivered a clutch RBI double into the gap in right-center field, cutting the lead to 5-2.

The Blazers attempted another rally in the seventh. Grace Langston lined a two-out double into left field to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle, but Trine recorded the final out to secure the victory.

Guy led the Belhaven offense with a 2-for-2 performance that included a home run, a walk, and a run scored. Lopera finished 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI double, while Langston and Bruner added hits.

Although the season ended one game short of the Championship Series, the 2026 campaign will be remembered as one of the finest in program history. The Blazers won 44 games, claimed both the CCS regular-season and tournament championships, earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, advanced through the Belhaven Regional and Jackson Super Regional, and reached the national semifinals for the second time in the last three seasons.

Belhaven concludes the year with a 44-12 record and leaves Salem with another chapter added to one of the most successful eras in program history.

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