DECATUR, Ala. – William Carey opened day two of the SSAC Softball Championship with a hard-fought 1–0 loss to Mobile before bouncing back with a 2–0 victory over Blue Mountain Christian to advance to the championship game.
In the opening contest, the game's only run came in the first inning. Mobile applied immediate pressure, as Daryelin Rivas led off with a bunt single and later moved into scoring position on a sacrifice. Diana Arcay followed with a double to center field, putting runners on second and third. After a walk loaded the bases, Lillie Lanham delivered a two-out RBI single to left field, giving the Rams an early 1–0 advantage. William Carey limited the damage, escaping the inning with a flyout that left the bases loaded.
The Crusaders looked poised to respond in the bottom half of the inning.
Liz Cross singled up the middle, and
Caroline Lindsey reached on a hit-by-pitch to put two runners aboard with one out. However, Mobile turned an inning-ending double play to preserve its lead.
Both teams threatened throughout the middle innings, but neither could capitalize. Mobile maintained its slim advantage behind strong pitching, retiring the Crusaders in key moments. The Rams were set down in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, but Carey managed just one baserunner in the seventh before a strikeout and groundout sealed the 1–0 decision.
William Carey regrouped in its second game of the day, securing a 2–0 win over Blue Mountain Christian behind timely hitting and dominant pitching.
The game began as a pitcher's duel, with both teams struggling to generate early offense. Blue Mountain loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with a hit-by-pitch, walk, and infield single, but the Crusaders escaped the jam with a fielder's choice to keep the game scoreless. Carey also put runners in scoring position in both the first and second innings, but BMCU worked out of trouble each time.
Blue Mountain threatened again in the third inning with back-to-back singles from Anna Harrison and Mikaylah Fuqua, but Carey held firm, recording a strikeout to end the inning and preserve the tie.
The breakthrough came in the bottom of the fourth.
Kinley Hogue ignited the rally with a two-out single and then stole second to move into scoring position.
Julia Shaw followed with a clutch single up the middle, bringing home Hogue to give William Carey a 1–0 lead.
The Crusaders added an insurance run in the fifth inning.
Anna Grace Shows reached base and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt before
Brooklynn Montana delivered an RBI single to right-center, extending the lead to 2–0.
Blue Mountain continued to apply pressure late, putting runners on base in both the fifth and sixth innings. Singles from Neely Barrier, Vaye Savage, and Karen Wisher created scoring opportunities, but each time the Carey defense rose to the challenge to keep the Toppers off the scoreboard.
In the seventh inning, starting pitcher
Ryanne Hornsby closed out the game by retiring the side in order, securing the shutout victory.
William Carey returns to action Saturday in the SSAC Softball Championship final, where the Crusaders will face Mobile. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.
