ALEXANDRIA, La. – The William Carey softball Team wrapped up day two in the LSUA Invite with a 4-2 victory over Central Baptist and a come from behind 4-3 win over Texas A&M-Texarkana Friday afternoon.
 
"We scored early in first game and played gritty defense," said Head Coach Fletcher. "Reanna stepped up big after giving up the back-to-back homeruns."
 
In their first game of the day against CBU, Albanie Fussell staked the Lady Crusaders to an early 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to center in the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, Carey extended their lead in third with three runs on four hits.
 
With two runners on base, Fussell added to her RBI total with a double to left center. Later in the inning with two outs, Madison Prejean drove in the final runs of the frame with a two RBI double to right center.
 
The four-run lead was held until the sixth inning when the Mustangs attempted a rally scoring two runs on back to back solo homeruns. However, starting pitcher Reanna Nieman limited the damage to just the two runs and then worked a one two three seventh to seal the victory.
 
"Two throwing errors got us behind in the first inning of second game and the homerun in the third but Ryanne dug in and shut them down," said Fletcher. "Good at bats and good base running helped us score three and tie it up. Timely hitting and a big two strike hit from Julia won it. Two huge wins for the ladies on day two."
 
In their second game of the day against the Eagles of Texas A&M Texarkana, the Lady Crusaders found themselves trailing 3-0 after giving up two runs on two errors in the first and one in the third inning. After being held scoreless for four innings the Carey bats came to life in the bottom of the fifth inning.
 
Harper Dupre, Kinley Hogue, and Liz Cross led off the inning with singles to load the bases with no outs. After back-to-back outs at the plate, Fussell continued her strong day at the plate, keeping the inning alive with an RBI single. Julia Shaw followed delivering the game tying double to center field.
 
In the top of the seventh, it looked like defensive miscues were going to be the downfall of the Lady Crusaders, as three errors loaded the bases with two outs. However, starting pitcher Ryanne Hornsby dug deep, working out of the jam with a strikeout to end the threat.
 
In the bottom half of the seventh inning, two walks and a single loaded the bases with one out sending Shaw to the plate. Down to her final strike, Shaw played hero, delivering a walk off single to right center to complete the comeback.
 
"I trusted myself and my team," said Shaw. "I felt prepared for the moment. I knew my team had my back and were supporting me to get the job done."
 
Hornsby picked up the win in the circle, going all seven innings allowing three runs one earned on four hits with six strikeouts.
 
Carey is back in action tomorrow, as they wrap up play in the LSUA Invite with games against Texas Wesleyan and Louisiana Christian University. Game time for Texas Wesleyan is scheduled for 10:30 with LCU to follow.