William Carey remained undefeated in the 2026 NAIA World Series with a 6-5 walk-off victory over Mid-America Christian on Monday at Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.
Mid-America Christian took an early lead in the first inning. Sammy Hallada was hit by a pitch and scored on a single by Nick Hill. The Evangels threatened to extend their lead but Carey pitcher Dylan Wallace escaped a bases-loaded jam to keep it a one-run game.
The Crusaders responded in the bottom of the first. Taylor Walters hit an RBI double, moved to third on an error, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Hays Carley to give Carey a 2-1 lead. Mid-America Christian tied the game in the second inning on back-to-back singles from Tuane Cope and Jahzeel Groetelaers, followed by a fielder’s choice by Hallada.
The Evangels regained the lead in the fourth when Frankie Giacalone doubled and scored on an RBI single by Groetelaers. Carey answered in the fifth with an unearned run on a sacrifice fly from Walters, tying the game at 3-3.
In the seventh, Mid-America Christian took control. Jalen King started the inning with a double, and Krepcik followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Evangels ahead 4-3. Cope added an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-3 going into the late innings.
The Crusaders mounted a dramatic rally in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, they loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Walters then delivered the game-winning hit, a three-run triple to left-center field, completing the comeback.
William Carey will play again Wednesday at Harris Field, facing the winner of the IU-Southeast/Tennessee Wesleyan game. First pitch is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., according to tournament organizers.
