By Billy Watkins
Belhaven shortstop Melissa Lopera has found her home run stroke.
Her three-run blast in the first inning set Belhaven on its way Saturday afternoon to a 4-2 win over Rowan in the NCAA Division III championship finals in Salem, Va.
Lopera also homered Friday in Belhaven’s win over Mount Union.
Coach Kevin Griffin’s Belhaven team (44-11) now faces defending national champion Trine at 12:30 p.m. (central time) Sunday. If Belhaven wins, it must beat Trine again to reach the best-of-three championship round. Trine defeated Belhaven in the first round, 7-5.
Lopera’s power has come at a good time for the Blazers. Her homer Saturday was her sixth of the season.
Kaleigh Steverson singled home a run just before Lopera’s homer. Those four runs would prove to be enough.
Karley Rouse and Macy Funderburk combined for seven innings pitched. Rouse started and gave up two runs, seven hits and two walks over three innings. Funderburk tossed four scoreless innings. She allowed five hits and struck out five.
Maryanna Guy doubled and scored during the Blazers’ first-inning rally. Grace Langston and Lauren Dunbar each had a hit.
