HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Missouri Baptist outlasted William Carey, earning a 3–1 victory Thursday night at Milton Wheeler Field.
 
Both teams opened the night with strong defensive play even stronger pitching. MBU put a runner aboard in the first after Carlos Hidalgo reached on an error and later stole second, but the Crusaders worked out of the early jam. WCU nearly mirrored the Spartans' start as leadoff hitter Tyler Ducksworth reached on an error in the bottom half, but a double play quickly erased the threat.
 
After three scoreless innings, the Spartans capitalized on another defensive miscue in the fourth to crack the scoreboard and take a 1–0 lead. The Crusaders responded immediately in the bottom of the inning.

Gage Hinnant led things off with a double to right-center, and DeeJay Booth followed with a single to put runners at the corners. Jayden Mark then delivered the equalizer with an RBI double down the left-field line, scoring Hinnant to bring the game even at 1–1. MBU limited further damage by stranding two runners to keep the game tied.
 
The pitchers resumed their duel through the middle innings, but Missouri Baptist regained the lead in the eighth. Miguel Padron reached after being hit by a pitch, and Jayden Orozco ripped a double to center to put runners on second and third. Nick Beech then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, driving in the go-ahead run for a 2–1 advantage. The Spartans added an insurance run in the ninth to push the margin to 3–1.
 
William Carey returns to action Friday with matchups against IU-Kokomo and Missouri Baptist. First pitch against the Cougars is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Milton Wheeler Field, with the MBU contest to follow.