HATTIESBURG, Miss. – No. 10 William Carey saw their season come to an end, as they fell to Oklahoma Wesleyan 16-11 Tuesday night at Milton Wheeler Field.
The first two innings of the game saw both teams get runners on base, but neither were able to capitalize on the early chances. The first runs of the game came in the top of the third, as a throwing error by the Crusaders would come back to haunt them in the form of a Javier Marcial two RBI single to right center to break the deadlock.
The Eagles added a run in the fourth on a two out RBI double by Ravaughn Morgan. After being held to two hits over the first four innings. The Carey offense showed signs of life, as
Preston Ratliff ripped a one out triple and in the bottom of the fifth.
Tyler Ducksworth followed with an RBI groundout to put WCU on the board.
Bridley Thomas and
Ty Little reached base via a hit by and walk to keep things going but starting pitcher Michael Mendoza induced a harmless groundball to first to limit the damage to just one run.
OKWU countered with three runs on the sixth to take a 6-1 lead. The Crusaders answered in the bottom half of the frame, cutting the deficit in half on a sac fly by
Jayden Mark and an RBI double by Ratliff. However. The Eagles answered right back, as they took a commanding 15-3 lead with nine runs on five hits in the top of the seventh.
Carey would not go quietly though. With the run rule in effect and down to their final out, pinch hitter
Cam Trosclair kept the hope alive with a single to center to put runners on first and second.
DeeJay Booth brought WCU one step closer with an RBI single to right, scoring
Hays Carley and putting runners on the corners.
Josh Alexander followed with an RBI double with Mark making it five straight hits with a single to center to make it 15-7 Oklahoma Wesleyan. A single and an error saw Carey continue to threaten in the inning, but the Eagles managed to work out the jam to keep the eight-run advantage.
The attack by the Crusaders continued in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Trosclair launched a one out two run home run to left to get WCU within six. Again, with two outs in the inning. Alexander kept things going with a single to right and would advance to second on a passed ball. Mark then delivered a double down the left field line to score Alexander with Ratliff continuing his strong day at the plate with an RBI single to make it 15-11. WCU found themselves in the same situation as the inning before, again loading the bases with two outs but also like the inning before, OKWU worked out the jam.
After the Eagles added a run in the top of the ninth, the Crusaders looked poised to continue their comeback, getting runners to first and second with one out. However, Alan Covarrubias came on in relief and retired the next two batters to seal the victory.
WCU ends their season with an overall record of 38-14 and 24-6 mark in conference play.
