ALEXANDRIA, La. – The William Carey Softball Team opened their 2025 season with a 7-4 victory over LSU-Alexandria Thursday night.
 
"We came out swinging and aggressive and had a great first inning," said Head Coach Craig Fletcher. We missed some opportunities in the next couple of innings that could have blown the game open. We had a hit by pitch, an error and gave up 3 hits that let them back in it. We did what we needed to and held them off down the stretch."
 
The Lady Crusaders wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead with a five run first inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Julia Shaw opened the scoring with an RBI single to center.
 
Albanie Fussell followed Shaw with another single to center that scored Lillie Robertson with Madison Prejean scoring Shaw on a sac fly to right to make it 3-0 WCU. Starting pitcher Ryanne Hornsby helped herself with an RBI double to right center with Kinley Hogue driving in the final run of the frame on a single to center field.
 
The Generals managed to get one run back in the bottom half of the inning but a defensive miscue by LSUA in the third made it a 6-1 advantage Carey. LSU-Alexandria would not go quietly though and in the bottom of the third cut the WCU lead to just two with three runs on three hits. The Lady Crusaders responded with an insurance run in the fourth on an RBI double by Fussell and Hornsby sealing the win allowing just one hit over the final three innings.
 
Hornsby picked up the win in the circle with a complete effort, allowing four runs two earned on five hits.
 
The Lady Crusaders are back in action tomorrow, as they take on Central Baptist and Texas A&M-Texarkana. Play is set to begin at 3:00 pm.