HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The William Carey Softball Team wrapped up their four-game home stand with a pair of run rule victories over Georgetown (Ky.) and Stillman College Saturday afternoon at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.
 
I thought we played solid defense, hit through the order, and had great pitching," said Head Coach Craig Fletcher. "A great way to end a great weekend for the girls. I am very proud of this group!"
 
The Lady Crusaders wasted no time taking the lead with three runs on four hits in the first inning. Three straight singles to lead off the inning by Liz Cross and Lilli Robertson with Laila Clark scoring Cross and Robertson with the third single. Later in the inning, a sac fly by Julia Shaw scored Clark to cap the scoring in the inning.
 
Carey added another run in the third on a Magen Caro RBI single to left and in the fourth put the game away for good with four runs. After back-to-back walks and a single to lead off the inning, Albanie Fussell drove in the first run on a sac fly to right. Shaw followed, driving in two with a double to left center with a defensive miscue allowing the final run of the frame to cross the plate.
 
The eight-run lead was more than enough support for starting pitcher Ryanne Hornsby and reliever Ava Roussel, as they combined on a four-hit shutout. Hornsby earned the win in the circle going four innings allowing no runs on three hits.
 
It was almost a perfect copy from the first game, as the Lady Crusaders took a three-run lead in the first inning on four hits and an error. Liz Cross led off the first inning with a single and would come around to score two batters later on Laila Clark's double down the left field line. Shaw added to her RBI total for the day scoring Clark on sacrifice fly to right. The final run of the frame came off the bat of Caro, as she drove the ball to the left center field wall to score Fussell.
 
Just like in the first game of the day, the Lady Crusaders put the game out of reach with five runs on three hits in the fourth inning. Cross started the scoring by plating two runs on a double to left center. Robertson followed suit with a double of her own to make 7-0 WCU with a bases loaded walk by Caro scoring the final run.
 
Reanna Nieman and Shaw did the rest as the duo allowed just three hits with one walk while Nieman struck out six.
 
Carey is back in action Tuesday, February 18, as they head to Daphne, Ala. to take on United States Sports Academy in non-conference action. Play is set to begin at 12:00 pm at the Daphne Sports Complex.