PULASKI, Tenn. — William Carey Softball clinched the SSAC Regular Season Championship with a doubleheader split versus UT Southern today at Royce Hughes Field. The game one win, coupled with a Mobile loss, sealed the title for the Crusaders.
"The SSAC is such a strong conference. For us to have the opportunity to clinch the regular season title with games remaining is an amazing honor," says Head Coach Wendy Hogue. "I'm just so proud of the girls and how they've played from day one. We're clinging to 1 Corinthians 9:24 and will do everything in our power to continue to run in such a way as to win," she added.
William Carey rode timely hitting and steady pitching to a 6–1 win in the opener, but Tennessee Southern flipped the script in Game 2, using a dominant performance in the circle to secure a 1–0 victory.
The Crusaders wasted little time establishing control in Game 1. Behind a balanced offensive attack, Carey plated runs in multiple innings, with Julia Shaw and Albanie Fussell leading the charge at the plate. Shaw delivered a multi-RBI performance to spark the lineup, while Fussell came through in key situations to help extend the lead. Kinley Hogue, Jayden Sawyer, and Harper Dupre also drove in runs, while Liz Cross pitched in with two hits of her own.
In the circle, Sawyer limited Tennessee Southern to just one run on two hits to pick up her 20th win of the season. Tennessee Southern managed to push across a run but struggled to generate consistent offense, as the Crusaders controlled the game from start to finish.
Runs were at a premium in Game 2, and it was Tennessee Southern's Hannah Lindsey who provided the difference. In the second inning, Lindsey lined an RBI single after a leadoff baserunner reached and advanced into scoring position, giving the Firehawks a 1–0 lead. That was all the support Tennessee Southern's pitching staff would need.
William Carey threatened throughout the game, including a late opportunity in the seventh inning that brought the potential tying run in scoring position. But the Firehawks held firm, recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the game and secure the shutout. Shaw, Fussell, and Hogue each picked up a hit in the game. Ryanne Hornsby was tagged with the loss despite holding the Firehawks to just two hits.
The Crusaders will hit the road this next week for one final SSAC series ahead of the conference tournament. WCU will take on the University of Mobile with the first pitch of a doubleheader starting at 3:00.
