By Billy Watkins
After winning the Collegiate Conference of the South championship tournament, Belhaven University softball has earned a regional host role to open the NCAA Division III tournament.
The Blazers, 38-9, will play Westminster (Pa.), 30-9, in the opening round Thursday at 11 a.m. at McLeod Field. The other two teams in the regional are Berry (Ga.), 30-13, and Emory (Ga.), 25-12.
It’s the first time in program history for the Blazers to host a regional.
At Oxford, Ala., Coach Kevin Griffin’s squad lost in the first round of the CCS tournament, but then won five straight to take the title for the second straight year.
Pitcher Macy Funderburk was sensational in the conference tournament, winning MVP honors. She pitched 32 innings and went 5-0.
Four other blazers were named to the All-Tournament team: Maryanna Guy, Madeline Bullock, Grace Langston and Maddie Bruner.
Guy, is a third baseman and catcher from Brandon who played at Pisgah High School.
Bullock is a catcher from Rayne, La.. Langston, an outfielder, is from Niceville, Fla.
Bruner, serves as a utility player from Brandon and Clinton Christian Academy.
Guy has been one of the more productive hitters with 60 hits, 15 doubles, nine homers and 49 RBI. She’s batting .432.
Kaleigh Steverson, with a .385 batting average, has 11 doubles, seven homers and 36 RBI.
Melissa Lopera is hitting .405 with 10 doubles, five homers and 35 RBI.
Pitching-wise, Funderburk has been a season-long warrior. She is 15-4 with an ERA of 1.83. She has struck out 100 batters and walked just 24 in 92 innings.
AR Sharp is 9-0 with a 3.12 ERA in 60.2 innings. Karley Rouse is 8-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 85 innings.
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