HATIESBURG, Miss. - #12 William Carey Softball took care of business in game one defeating Xavier University 7-3 but needed extra innings in game two to pick up the 5-4 win, Tuesday afternoon at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.

Lady Crusaders wasted no time in seizing the lead with four runs in the first inning.  Back to back singles followed by a Xavier error to start the inning would plate the first run of the game.  A RBI walk by Albanie Fussell and singles by Hannah Dufault and Alex Davis would push across the final runs of the frame.

Starting pitcher Haley Nations was cruising along until the sixth inning when the Gold Nuggets finally broke through, scoring three runs on two hits and an error, to make it 4-3 Carey.  However, WCU answered in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own.  Susie LeBert scored Dee Dee West with a double to centerfield and a throwing error by XULA would score the final two runs of the game.

Xavier struck first in game two, as a passed ball and a WCU error allowed two runs to cross the plate in the second inning.  The Lady Crusaders would get one run back in the bottom of the frame as Ryanne Hornsby ripped a shot to the wall in center for a one out RBI triple.

Both pitchers dialed in after the second inning, as the score would remain 2-1 XULA until the bottom of the sixth inning.  A leadoff walk followed by a Carley Kidder RBI double to centerfield would tie the game and a Gold Nugget miscue would give Carey a 3-2 lead.

Xavier would not quietly tying the game in the top of seventh inning on a double steal and take a 4-3 lead in the eighth with a RBI single up the middle. 

The Lady Crusaders were up to the challenge though, as Fussell ripped a triple to right center to score Kidder.  Hannah Dufault stepped to the plate next and delivered the game winner with a RBI single to left.

Ryanne Hornsby went all eight innings allowing four runs one earned on seven hits with 11 strikeouts to pick up the win.

WCU is back in action Sunday, February 19, as they take on LSU-Alexandria in double header action.  First pitch is slated for 1:00 pm at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.