LEWISTON, Idaho - No. 8 Belhaven (Miss.) (44-16) disposed of defending national champion No. 5 Lubbock Christian (Texas) (46-16) 3-2 in Game 5 of the Avista-NAIA World Series from Harris Field. With the loss, the Chaps are eliminated and become the first team in the 54-year history of the event that the defending national champs went 0-2 the following year after winning the title.

In its first World Series, Belhaven wins its first game in program history. The Blazers live to play another day in the double-elimination format as they will take on the loser of Cumberland (Tenn.) and Embry-Riddle (Fla.) on Monday at 8:30 a.m. PDT.

"This is history for us and we were excited about playing today," said Belhaven coach Hill Denson, who has amassed over 1,000 wins in his high school and collegiate coaching career. "Chris Bennett did a great job for us into the sixth inning. He is a kid that is up and down at times but he got it done today. It is always good if we can get to Wade Broyles (closer) in the ninth."

Derek Tortorich was the difference as he hit the third of three Belhaven solo homers, with his coming in the top of the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie. His fifth of the year came off Lubbock Christian pitcher Hunter Scott. That was Scott's second home run he has allowed in his last two pitches in the World Series (Jose Cuevas of Lee delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth against Scott).

The scoring started when Belhaven's Craig Dean blasted his ninth home run on a 1-0 pitch to start the second inning. Drew Dillard mirrored Dean's lead-off home run with his seventh of the year in the third frame. The Blazers led 2-0 heading into the home-half of the sixth inning.

Staked to a 2-0 lead early, Belhaven starting hurler Chris Bennett had a no-hitter heading into the fourth inning. However, he ran into trouble as he allowed three singles to load the bases in the fifth. He got out of the inning unscathed when he sat down Reid Chenworth on strikes. All three runners were stranded in the inning and Lubbock Christian left nine on base in the game.

One of the nation's best hitting offenses, Lubbock Christian threatened in the sixth inning. Richard Bohlken laced a two-out, two-RBI double to the left-center gap that scored Tyler Lloyd and Christian Soberanes, both pinch runners. That clutch hit tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth and forced out Bennett.

Paul Faulkenberry entered the game and, after intentionally walking Doug Kroll, he retired pinch-hitter Brett Kazmierski on an infield pop-fly. Faulkenberry went on to pitch a scoreless seventh inning before giving way to closer Wade Broyles. Dan Neumann greeted Broyles with a single to lead off the eighth inning. However, Neumann was stranded at third base and Broyles worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 14th save on the season.

Dillard led Belhaven with a 2-for-3 effort and now stands 4-for-8 in the Series. Dean also gathered two hits.

Bohlken finished 2-for-4 with two runs driven in for the Chaps.

Lubbock Christian starter Frank Corolla pitched well enough to keep his team in it. He went 7.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits. He whiffed five and walked three. Scott was marred with the loss after giving up Tortorich's eighth-inning blast. He tossed the final two innings allowing two hits and striking out one batter.

GAME NOTES: With a single run in the second inning, Belhaven has now scored first in 43 out of 60 games this year... Lubbock Christian drops to 19-16 all-time in the World Series... As the No. 8 seed, Belhaven becomes the first team to defeat the No. 1 seed since 2007 when No. 8 Lindenwood (Mo.) took down No. 1 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 14-9... In one-run games this year, Lubbock is now 5-7... Belhaven, out of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, is the first league member in the World Series since Louisiana State-Shreveport in 2003... Coach Nathan Blackwood had several lineup changes including sitting regular first baseman Doug Kroll... Lubbock Christian ranks third in the NAIA in runs scored (10.0) but plated just eight in two games in the Series... Belhaven closer Wayne Broyles now is tied for second nationally with 14 saves.