HATTIESBURG, Miss. — William Carey’s softball team took control early and never relinquished it, defeating Coastal Georgia 7–2 in an elimination game of the 2026 NAIA Softball Opening Round.
The Lady Crusaders scored twice in the first inning. Caroline Lindsey was hit by a pitch to reach base, and Kinley Hogue followed with a single. Albanie Fussell then doubled down the left field line, driving in both runners to give Carey a 2–0 lead.
In the third inning, Carey added to its lead. Lindsey reached base again and scored on a sacrifice fly by Julia Shaw. Ryanne Hornsby drove in another run with an RBI single, making it 4–0.
Coastal Georgia responded in the fourth. A leadoff single and a double put two runners in scoring position. Rily Andrews hit a two-run double to center field, cutting the deficit to 4–2.
Carey answered immediately. Fussell delivered an RBI single to restore a three-run lead. The Lady Crusaders added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Liz Cross drove in a run in the fifth, and Fussell added her fourth RBI in the sixth.
The Carey defense closed out the game, retiring nine of the final ten Coastal Georgia hitters. The Lady Crusaders will return to action Wednesday against Georgia Gwinnett in another elimination game at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
