The Belhaven softball team ended its historic season just shy of bringing a national title to Jackson.
After making a trek to Marshall, Texas for the program’s first-ever appearance in the College World Series since joining the NCAA Division III ranks, Kevin Griffin’s squad found itself in the championship round against host team East Texas Baptist.
The Blazers took game one of the title series, ousting the Tigers 4-3 on Tuesday courtesy of stellar performances by All-American pitcher Kennedy Carruth in the circle and decorated first baseman Ellie Jones at the plate.
Just as fortune seemed to be on Belhaven’s side, ETBU, fueled by a home-field advantage, struck back. The Tigers dominated the Blazers 8-2 in game two Wednesday afternoon, setting up a do-or-die matchup to ensue less than an hour after the conclusion of the equalizing matchup.
Belhaven threatened early in game three, loading the bases in the top of the first inning, but came up empty. ETBU then seized the opportunity to deliver a punch that the Blazers would not be able to recover from. The Tigers smacked two home runs in the bottom of the first, scoring four total runs.
While the Blazers threatened a comeback and cut the deficit to one run on two different occasions, ETBU never relinquished its advantage on the scoreboard and held on to win the grand finale 7-5.
A historic season. One that Blazers everywhere will forever remember.
Thank you @BelhavenSB_ #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/vu0uT94pe0
— Belhaven Blazers (@BelhavenBlazers) June 5, 2024
Though the Blazers were unable to bring home a national championship, the team did accomplish a feat unattained in previous years. Belhaven’s 47 wins this season marked a program best.
