Roanoke, Va. -- Making their first-ever appearance in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series, the seventh-seeded Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels fell 5-1 to the second-seeded Belhaven University Blazers today (May 18) at the Botetourt Sports Complex in Roanoke, Va.

The third inning was the only frame the Blazers scored in, but it's all they needed behind the pitching duo of Jordan Herring and Taylor Surrento. 

Herring threw four scoreless innings and struck out four to get the win, while Surrento allowed one run over the final three innings and also had four strikeouts.

Brooke Laigast started the third with a solo homer for the Blazers, who also got an RBI single from Hannah Holloway and an RBI double by Savannah Lyon in the inning.

The Lady Evangels (26-28) avoided the shutout when Taryn Callender singled with one out in the sixth, advanced to second on an infield hit by Carson Osborne and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Osborne had two of the Lady Evangels' four hits and Tiffany Holt had a double.

Morgan Wardlow started for MACU and lasted 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and five runs allowed.

Laigast and Dani Craft each had two hits for the Blazers (34-8).

The Lady Evangels will continue pool play later tonight against third-seeded Judson University at 5:30 pm (CST).