OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Crusader's season came to an end on day 2 of the Oklahoma City Bracket in the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series. WCU stayed alive as they beat the University of Houston-Victoria 7-1 but fell to Morningside 8-4 this evening.
 
UHV got off to a good start scoring a run in the opening inning. Claire Blinka reached first and advanced to second on a fielding error by the Carey defense. A sac bunt and a single from Daizie Fuentez got Blinka across the plate to put the Cougars up 1-0. This would be the only real offense of the game for UHV as Carey pitcher Reanna Nieman only gave up three hits in the next six innings.
 
Carey responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Lilli Robertson walked and a Laila Clark single put them on 1^st and 2^nd. An Albanie Fussel single and a Julia Shaw sac fly allowed Robertson & Clark to cross the plate to put the Crusaders up 2-1 and for good.
 
Carey added a single run in the 3^rd inning to put them up 3-1. Fussell doubled to left center before Harper Dupre singled to left field to bring Fussell home.
 
WCU continued the offense in the 4^th by extending their lead by two. Liz Cross singled up the middle before a sac bunt and a Clark single allowed Cross across home plate. Fussell & Shaw kept the rhythm going as a single and a double brought another Crusader home to add to their lead.
 
Carey put the final nails in the coffin of UHV's season with two runs in the bottom of the 6^th inning to cement their 7-1 win. A Cross walk and a Robertson single to left field put two runners on base. A fielder's choice on Fussell then put runners on the corners for Carey with two outs. Shaw's second double of the day brought both runners home and sealed the victory to keep the Crusaders' season alive.
 
Nieman claimed the win inside the circle for WCU. Nieman pitched a full seven innings, only giving up one run and four hits and recording five strikeouts.
 
With Carey still in a win-or-lose situation, they took on Morningside in another elimination game. WCU got off to a good start again, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1^st inning. A dropped third strike kept the inning alive as Clark reached first. Clark then stole 2^nd before a Fussell single to left field sent Fussell home and put the Crusaders ahead.
 
The Mustang offense came to life in the top of the 3^rd inning. MU opened the inning with a walk and a foul out. Morningside's offense then took control as four of the next five batters all hit doubles. Mackenzie Harrell, Jenna Skradski, Ellie Gengler, & Morgan Secora all brought in an RBI each to put Morningside ahead 4-1.
 
Carey responded in the bottom of the inning with three runs of their own to tie the game at four. Cross & Robertson opened the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on 1^st & 2^nd. Clark then singled herself and a defensive error then allowed the two runners to score. Two successive ground outs then allowed Clark to make it home and score the equalizing run.
 
The Mustangs once again went on offense in the top of the 4^th and would go ahead for good. Three successive singles from Addyson Maxwell, Paige Schuster, & Jalyn Noelle loaded the bases with zero outs. This set the stage for Harrell to hit a grand slam over the left field fence and send the Mustangs on to the next round.
 
No more runs would be scored in the remainder of the game as Carey could not find the offense necessary to mount a comeback. The Mustangs ran out 8-4 winners on the night and ultimately ended Carey's season in the opening round of the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series.
 
"Tough loss tonight to end the season." said Head Coach Craig Fletcher. "I really felt like we would be playing tomorrow but that's not the case. We just didn't pitch well enough to give ourselves a chance to keep the games within reach."
 
The Crusaders ended their season with an overall record of 36-19 and an SSAC record of 15-11.
 
Coach Fletcher reflects on the season "I am very proud of this group and what they were able to accomplish this year. We had some ups and downs throughout the season, but I was proud of the way we kept fighting down the stretch. Well done Carey Softball."