WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — William Carey secured a spot in the NAIA Opening Round championship game after a 9-8 victory over Bryan (Tenn.) on Tuesday afternoon.
The Lions threatened early, with Cyrus Campos singling and advancing into scoring position in the first inning. However, Crusaders pitcher Carey worked out of the jam to keep Bryan off the scoreboard.
William Carey took the lead in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with three singles. Hays Carley drew a walk to force in the game’s first run, giving the Crusaders a 1-0 lead. They extended their advantage in the third inning with a rally that produced five hits. Carley hit an RBI double, Barron Frazer added a run-scoring single, and Roth John lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
Bryan struggled offensively early, leaving multiple baserunners stranded through the first five innings. The Lions finally broke through in the sixth, sending 13 batters to the plate in a seven-run inning to take a 7-4 lead. The rally included an RBI walk by Morgan Halliday, a bases-loaded walk from Brodie Genter, a wild pitch, and an RBI groundout by Cade Cook. Campos then doubled in a run, and Jayron Morris and Denajh Williams each drove in a run to cap the frame.
The Crusaders responded in the seventh, with Tyler Ducksworth hitting a two-run homer to close the gap. Bryan added an insurance run in the eighth on Will Curcio’s RBI single, pushing the lead to 8-6. William Carey continued to fight, scoring in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Jayden Mark.
In the ninth, William Carey mounted a final rally. Ducksworth, Gage Hinnant, and Alan McClean each reached base to load the bases with one out. DeeJay Booth then delivered the game-winning hit, a walk-off two-run single to center field, sealing the comeback victory.
The Crusaders will play Wednesday against the winner of the Bryan-Missouri Baptist or Cumberlands game. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., according to tournament officials.
