HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The William Carey softball team saw their season come to an end in the championship game of the 2026 NAIA Opening Round.
In the first game of the day against Georgia Gwinnett, both teams struggled to generate offense early as pitchers on both sides kept hitters off balance. Just four combined hits were recorded through the first three innings. Georgia Gwinnett threatened in the opening frame, loading the bases on two walks and a Sara Roussel single, but could not capitalize, leaving all three runners stranded.
The deadlock was broken in the fourth inning when the Grizzlies broke through. Kaitlyn Crumley and Summer Hickson each singled to spark the rally, and McQuagge delivered a key RBI single to plate the game's first run. The inning unraveled further for William Carey, as a passed ball and defensive miscues allowed two additional runs to score, giving Georgia Gwinnett a 3–0 lead.
However, that advantage proved short-lived. The Lady Crusaders responded emphatically in the bottom half of the inning with an explosive eight-run outburst.
Caroline Lindsey and
Albanie Fussell opened the rally with singles, while
Jayden Sawyer drew a walk to load the bases.
Julia Shaw drove in the first run with a single to left, and
Ryanne Hornsby followed with an RBI single to right.
A bases-loaded walk by
Harper Dupre tied the game before
Liz Cross delivered a pivotal two-run single to give Carey the lead. Lindsey added a sacrifice fly to score Dupre, extending the lead to 6–3, and
Kinley Hogue capped the inning with a two-run single to center, pushing the margin to five.
From there, William Carey remained in control. In the bottom of the fifth,
Brooklynn Montana delivered the decisive blow, ripping a three-run triple down the left-field line to secure a walk-off run-rule victory.
The championship game against Marian University mirrored the teams' first meeting, as pitching and defense dominated throughout.
Both teams were sharp in the circle, combining to allow just one hit through the first four innings. William Carey was retired in order in the top of the first, while Marian was set down on three consecutive strikeouts, establishing an early rhythm that carried through much of the contest.
Carey's first hit came in the second inning on a single by
Jayden Sawyer, but the opportunity quickly faded. Marian matched that limited offensive production, not recording a hit until the fifth inning. The Knights threatened in that frame, loading the bases with two outs after a single by Ally Malone and a walk drawn by Alex Kiemeyer, but a foul out ended the inning and preserved the scoreless tie.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth. Abbey Hofmann reached after being hit by a pitch and advanced into scoring position, setting the stage for Marian's breakthrough. Lily Wendt delivered the clutch hit with a single down the left-field line, driving in Hofmann for the game's first and only run.
Marian starting pitcher Macy Coan retired William Carey in order in the seventh to complete the shutout and secure the championship.
The Lady Crusaders conclude the season with a 41–14 overall record and an 18–4 mark in conference play.
