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SHAWNEE, Okla. -- The Bellevue University softball team fought back from a 5-1 deficit, forcing extra innings, before subduing to No. 15-ranked Belhaven (Miss.) College, 6-5, at the NAIA Softball Opening Round at Firelake Ballfields Tuesday evening.
The loss ended Bellevue's season at 36-17. Belhaven (Miss.) advanced to the championship game on Wednesday at noon against the host school, St. Gregory's University.
Neither team scored until three walks, a hit batsmen, a pair of singles and a Bruin fielding error led to three Blazer runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Bellevue responded in the top of the fourth with an RBI single to left field by Kristin Burhenne, slicing the lead to 3-1.
Belhaven increased the advantage to 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a fielder's choice RBI by Shelby Watson and an RBI infield single by Dominique Corona.
A bases-loaded walk to Courtney Schendt pulled BU to within three runs at 5-2 in the top of the fifth inning.
A sacrifice fly to right field by Katie Shupe and a fielding error by Blazer second baseman Josie Porter allowed another run to score, narrowing the Belhaven margin to 5-4 in the top of the sixth frame.
The Bruins tied the game at 5-5 on Alyssa Matoba's fielder's choice RBI in the top of the seventh that plated pinch runner Kaitlyn Goney from third.
Jessica Paris led off the bottom of the eighth with a double to left field and advance to third on a sacrifice punt by Porter. After intentionally walking the next two batters, Emily Todd's single to center field scored Paris to end the contest.
Ginger Lonergran, who replaced Paris in the circle, earned the win. Kelli Fisher (18-6) suffered the loss, scattering seven hits and three runs in five innings of work.
NAIA Championship Opening Round - St. Gregory's Bracket
Shawnee, Okla. | Firelake Ball Fields
Monday, May 12
Game 1: Belhaven (Miss.) def. Bellevue, 16-1
Game 2: St. Gregory's (Okla.) def. Concordia (Neb.), 4-3
Tuesday, May 13
Game 3: St. Gregory's (Okla.) def. Belhaven (Miss.), 5-0
Game 4: Bellevue def. Concordia (Neb.), 3-1
Game 5: Belhaven (Miss.) def. Bellevue, 6-5 (8 innings)
Wednesday, May 14
Game 6: St. Gregory's (Okla.) vs. Belhaven (Miss.), 12 p.m.
Game 7: If necessary, 3 p.m.
