Santa Clarita, Calif. — William Carey bounced back from a season-opening loss in decisive fashion Friday afternoon, building an early lead and holding off a late surge to defeat The Master's 12–7.
 
"Really pleased with our effort today with a strong start from Everett Thompson on the mound," said Head Coach Bobby Halford.  "We had a strong performance from freshman Alan McClean who was outstanding in the field and at the plate. Gage Hinnant and Taylor Walters were big factors offensively and defensively with Cam Senior playing a role at the plate. I was also pleased with Dylan Wallace closing out the game."
 
After two quiet innings, the Crusaders lit the fuse in the third. Capitalizing on Mustang miscues, DeeJay Booth lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate the game's first run and spark the Carey offense.
 
From there, the momentum swung hard in the Crusaders' favor. In the fourth, Taylor Walters ripped a leadoff double, and Clayton Williamson wasted no time driving him in with an RBI single. Cam Senior followed with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt, and Alan McClean delivered a clutch two-run single to left, stretching the lead to 4–0 and putting WCU firmly in control.
 
The Mustangs scratched across a run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Crusaders answered with a five-run explosion in the fifth. Gage Hinnant opened the frame with a single, Booth doubled, and Jayden Mark drove in a run with a deep sacrifice fly to center. Later in the inning, a two-out, bases-loaded walk forced in another run, and a balk scored Williamson. McClean continued his big day with another two-run single, pushing the Carey lead to a commanding 9–1.
 
But The Master's refused to fold.
 
In the eighth, the Mustangs mounted a dramatic comeback attempt. Three straight hits produced a run, a walk loaded the bases, and a double to right cut into the lead. Caleb Ougel provided a crucial moment with a pickoff at third for the second out, the Mustangs punched back with a two-run homer and a pair of run-scoring hits, suddenly trimming what once seemed insurmountable into a tense 9–7 ballgame.
 
With pressure mounting, Carey needed insurance — and they delivered.
 
An error extended the ninth inning, and Senior made the Mustangs pay with an RBI single to left. Moments later, McClean punctuated his monster day with another two-run single to right, restoring breathing room at 12–7.
 
The Master's threatened one last time in the bottom of the ninth, putting runners in scoring position, but Tyler Ducksworth sealed the win in dramatic fashion, laying out for a highlight-reel diving catch at first base to end the game.
 
McClean headlined the Crusader attack, finishing with three hits and six RBI in a dominant performance. Senior chipped in two hits and two RBI. Everett Thompson earned the wi on the mound going five innings allowing one run on five hits.
 
William Carey returns to action Saturday, closing out the series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.