WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — William Carey rallied from an eight-run deficit to defeat Cumberlands 13-11 on Wednesday at Terry Stigall Field, earning a spot in the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
Head coach Bobby Halford praised the team’s resilience. “I thought it was one of the best comebacks I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “Our guys never gave up, and Matthew Davis was outstanding in the final innings to seal the win.”
The Crusaders took an early lead, with DeeJay Booth hitting a solo home run in the first inning. Cumberlands threatened in the second, loading the bases, but a caught stealing ended the inning and kept William Carey ahead.
William Carey extended its lead to 2-0 in the third on a solo home run by Jayden Mark. However, the Patriots responded quickly, scoring six runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Ronald Almanzar and a two-run double by S. De La Cruz, giving UC a 6-2 advantage.
The Patriots continued to build their lead, with Derick Andiarena hitting a solo homer and Caden Petrey adding a two-run blast in the fourth. Almanzar’s solo shot in the sixth pushed the lead to 9-2.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the eighth inning, as William Carey scored 10 runs on seven hits. The rally was sparked by a two-run double from Franklin Hernandez and continued with clutch hits from Tyler Ducksworth and Alan McClean. Booth’s three-run homer tied the game at 10-10, and the Crusaders took a 12-10 lead after a wild pitch and an RBI single from Hernandez.
William Carey added another run in the ninth before Cumberlands’ Caden Petrey homered for a second time, but it was not enough. Davis retired the final two batters to secure the victory.
The win sends William Carey to the NAIA World Series, scheduled for May 22-30 in Lewiston, Idaho.
