HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Marian defeated William Carey 1-0 in an 11-inning game during the opening round of the 2026 NAIA Softball Championship on Monday night. The game was a pitchers’ duel marked by strong performances from both sides.
Both teams relied on exceptional pitching and airtight defense, with scoring opportunities scarce. Marian was retired in order in each of the first two innings, while William Carey managed just one baserunner in the opening frame. In the second inning, Kinley Hogue reached base and stole second but was left stranded.
The game remained scoreless through the middle innings. Marian’s Delaney Rundle recorded an early hit with a single in the fourth but was unable to advance. William Carey threatened in the fifth when Anna Grace Shows and Liz Cross each singled, but Marian’s defense held strong to keep the game tied. The Crusaders had another scoring chance in the fourth with two hits, including a double from Hogue, but a groundout ended the rally.
Neither team scored in the eighth, ninth, or 10th innings. Marian threatened in the 10th with a leadoff single, but a double play ended the inning. In the top of the 11th, Abbey Hofmann and Rundle singled consecutively, putting runners on first and second. After a groundout advanced both runners, Mati Hughes grounded out to shortstop, bringing Hofmann home for the game’s only run.
William Carey had a chance to tie in the bottom of the 11th. Liz Cross singled and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, but Marian retired the final batter with a pop-up to end the game. Marian advances to face the winner of Coastal Georgia and Columbia College in an elimination game Tuesday at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.
