Decatur, Alabama — William Carey advanced to the SSAC Softball Championship game after a 2-0 victory over Blue Mountain Christian, following a 1-0 loss to Mobile earlier in the day, according to tournament officials.
In the opening game, Mobile scored the only run in the first inning. Daryelin Rivas led off with a bunt single and moved to scoring position on a sacrifice. Diana Arcay then doubled to center field, putting runners on second and third. After a walk loaded the bases, Lillie Lanham hit a two-out RBI single, giving Mobile a 1-0 lead. William Carey managed to escape the inning with a flyout that left the bases loaded, maintaining the Rams’ advantage.
The Crusaders threatened in the bottom of the inning, with Liz Cross singling and Caroline Lindsey being hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. However, Mobile turned a double play to end the threat. Both teams remained scoreless through the middle innings, with Mobile’s pitchers shutting down William Carey in key moments. The Rams retired the Crusaders in order in the sixth and seventh innings, securing a 1-0 win.
William Carey rebounded in the second game with dominant pitching and timely hitting. The game was a pitcher’s duel early, with both teams struggling to score. Blue Mountain loaded the bases in the first, but Carey pitcher Ryanne Hornsby escaped with a fielder’s choice. The Crusaders threatened again in the third with back-to-back singles but failed to score, as Carey’s defense held strong.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kinley Hogue singled and stole second, and Julia Shaw followed with a single to bring her home for a 1-0 lead. In the fifth, Anna Grace Shows reached base, advanced on a sacrifice, and Brooklynn Montana drove in an insurance run with an RBI single. Carey added a second run in the sixth on an RBI single from Montana.
Blue Mountain continued to threaten late, with runners on base in the fifth and sixth innings, but Carey’s defense kept the Toppers off the scoreboard. Hornsby closed out the game in the seventh, retiring the side in order for the shutout victory. William Carey will face Mobile in the championship game scheduled for Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.
