JACKSON, Tenn. – No.10 William Carey opened play in the 2025 SSAC Baseball Championship with a run rule victory over UT-Southern Wednesday afternoon at Rockabillys Stadium.
"Thought we started a little slow, but we were able to answer with six runs on the third to erase a 2-0 deficit," said Head Coach
Bobby Halford.
Bridley Thomas did a great job in his first start since concussion protocol, reaching base each at bat and slugged a two-run homer along with Deejay Booth and
Ty Little chipping in with two hits.
Preston Ratliff continued to power surge with a big blast and
Matthew Davis did a good job settling in after a shaky start.
Both teams started the game unable to capitalize on early base runners until the Firehawks picked up two out two RBI single to left by Brayden Buckner in the top of the third. In the bottom half of the frame though, two free passes and a single loaded the bases for WCU with one out.
Preston Ratliff then stepped to the plate, drawing a walk to drive in the first run of the inning for Carey.
Eli Collins followed with a single to left, scoring
Josh Alexander and
DeeJay Booth with
Tyler Ducksworth driving the ball to wall in left center to make it 5-2. Two batters later, it was a four-run advantage for the Crusaders, as
Ty Little scored Ducksworth on a double down the left field line for final run of the inning.
After a scoreless fourth inning, WCU extended their lead in the fifth inning, as
Bridley Thomas launched a two-run homer to left with
Rigoberto Hernandez sending a two-run shot over the fence in right field. Ratliff joined the homerun club, launching a solo shot to left center in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Crusaders ahead 11-2.
After being held scoreless since their two runs in the third inning, UTS managed to cut the deficit to six with three runs on four hits in the seventh inning. However, just like in the third inning, the Crusaders responded in the bottom of the inning.
Also like in the third inning, two free passes and a single loaded the bases with one out. This time it was a sac fly by Booth that scored the first run of the inning with Alexander scoring Little on a single to center field. A bases loaded walk by Collins drove in another run with a balk scoring Alexander for the run rule victory.
Matthew Davis earned the win on the mound, allowing 5 runs 3 earned with nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.
Carey is back in action tomorrow, as they continue pool with a game scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm.
