Lewiston, Idaho – The Crusaders suffered their first loss of the 2026 Avista NAIA World Series on Thursday night, falling 7-4 to Taylor University at Harris Field.
After two quick outs in the bottom of the first, the Trojans mounted a two-out rally. Brayden Manning sparked the inning with a single, and Jordan Malott followed with a walk to put two aboard. Brennan Frickel drove in the game's first run with an RBI single, and after the bases were loaded, Fletcher Roemmich broke things open with a three-run double to left-center. Nate Simpson capped the five-run inning with an RBI single to give Taylor an early 5-0 lead.
The Crusaders answered in the second inning.
Franklin Hernandez led off with a single and later scored on
Gage Hinnant's RBI base hit, cutting the deficit to 5-1. However, Taylor quickly responded in the bottom half on a Luke Sutter solo home run to right field.
Following a scoreless third inning, Taylor added its final run in the fourth to push the advantage to 7-1.
Carey chipped away but could not fully close the gap. The Crusaders capitalized on a defensive miscue in the fifth, scoring an unearned run on an RBI single from Hernandez. WCU added another run in the sixth when Hinnant continued his strong performance at the plate with an RBI double, trimming the deficit to 7-3.
Carey made one last push in the ninth.
DeeJay Booth reached on an infield single and later scored on
Jayden Mark's two-out RBI double to right-center, cutting the lead to 7-4. However, Taylor's defense held firm, recording the final out to secure the victory.
The Crusaders return to action today in an elimination game against Tennessee Wesleyan. First pitch is set for 8:30 p.m. at Harris Field.
