MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Lady Crusaders split an SSAC series for the second time in a row, knocking off Faulkner 8-1 in game 1 before falling 2-0 in game 2.
 
Faulkner opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Addyson Jarman drew the lead off walk before a sac bunt and a passed ball got Jarman onto third base. A single through the left side by Madelyn Becker got Jarman across the plate and put Faulkner up 1-0. Two consecutive outs ensured the Lady Eagles only scored the solitary run, stranding one on base.
 
Similar to Faulkner in the previous inning, Carey opened the inning drawing a lead off walk courtesy of Laila Clark. Clark stole second almost immediately but back-to-back outs threatened to leave Clark stranded. However, a strong at-bat from Harper Dupre saw her single to left field, allowing Clark to reach home and tie the game.
 
After working a clean bottom half of the inning, the Carey offense came out firing in the top of the third.  A Lilli Robertson single and a Madison Prejean walk put two on base before an Albanie Fussell single filled the bases with Crusaders. Laila Clark followed her 2^nd inning run with 2 RBI as her double scored Robertson & Prejean and advanced Fussell to third. Fussell scored after Magen Caro grounded out and Clark got herself home on a Reanna Nieman single to center field to put Carey up 5-1.
 
The next two and a half innings provided little action before Carey put the game to bed in the top of the 6^th. Two opening hits from Dupre and Liz Cross put runners on the corners to open the inning. Robertson got her second hit of the game to score Dupre, advance Cross to third, and put runners on the corners again. Prejean drew another walk to load the bases before Fussell's second hit of the day ran in two, as Cross and Robertson scored.
 
Nieman put on a masterclass for the Lady Crusaders inside the circle. After giving up her sole hit and run of the game in the opening inning, Nieman retired the next 18 batters to ensure the win. Nieman cemented the win, only giving up one walk and recording three strikeouts.
 
Game 2 started off similar to the first, as Carey found themselves behind in the bottom of the first. Singles by Becker and Anna Catherine Segrest and a pass ball put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd. A SAC bunt and a fielders choice allowed Segrest to score before an Abby Terrell single to right field scored Becker to put Faulkner up 2-0 after the first inning.
 
The remainder of the game saw little action on offense as both teams combined for 6 hits. Both teams struggled to swing the bat with no more runs being scored and both pitchers giving little to their counterparts.
 
Ryanne Hornsby remained steady in the circle as she gave up eight hits, two runs, & recorded three strikeouts.
 
The Lady Crusaders are back in action this Friday as they hit the road to Thomasville, GA. to take on Thomas in an SSAC double header.