BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – No. 9 William Carey opened a three game conference series against Blue Mountain Christian with a 16-4 run rule victory.
 
"It was really good to jump out to a big lead early," said Head Coach Bobby Halford. "It was also good to see a great start on the mound from Matthew Davis after being out a month with an injury. A big grand slam by Hayes Carley and RBIs by Ratliff really got us going along with great hitting throughout the lineup."
 
Both teams got off to a hot start, as there were a combined nine runs scored in the first inning with WCU taking the early 6-3 lead. A one out RBI fielders' choice by Preston Ratliff started the scoring with Tyler Ducksworth making it a two-run advantage on an RBI double down the right field line.
 
After a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs, Hays Carley delivered the big hit, clearing the bases with a grand slam to left field. In the bottom half of the frame, back-to-back hits led to the first two runs with an RBI groundout scoring the final run for the Toppers.
 
The 6-3 lead for Carey held until the fourth when WCU extended their lead to six. After loading the bases the start the inning, Alexander scored Jerod Williams on a sacrifice fly with Ratliff capping the scoring in the inning with a single to left.
 
The Crusader offense was not done and in the fifth inning took a commanding lead with three runs on three hits. Two free passes and a double again loaded the bases to start the inning with Williams driving in the first two runs with a single to left.
 
After a fly out allowed the runners to advance to second and third, DeeJay Booth made it 12-3 WCU with a single to right. The Crusaders put the game away for good in the sixth on RBIs by Carley and Rigoberto Hernandez (2). The Toppers managed to push across one run in the seventh for the final margin.
 
Carey is back in action tomorrow as they wrap up the series with a double header beginning at 1:00 pm.