HATTIESBURG, Miss. — William Carey softball swept Thomas in a doubleheader Friday at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field. The Lady Crusaders won 1-0 in the opener and 5-0 in the nightcap.
In the first game, Carey scored the only run without a hit in the bottom of the first inning. Liz Cross drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt that was mishandled. Cross then scored on a throw during a stolen base attempt, giving Carey a 1-0 lead. Thomas threatened in the fourth with the bases loaded and one out but was unable to score, thanks to a double play turned by Carey. Pitcher Ryanne Hornsby earned the win, allowing four hits and striking out six.
The second game remained scoreless through the first inning before Carey broke through in the second. Julia Shaw singled, and Caroline Lindsey doubled to drive in Shaw. Anna Grace Shows added an RBI single, making it 2-0. In the fourth, Liz Cross hit a two-run single after the bases loaded, extending the lead to 4-0. Carey added a final run in the fifth when Jayden Sawyer hit a sacrifice fly after pinch-hitting, making it 5-0. Sawyer held Thomas to one hit in six innings, striking out 15 batters. The Lady Crusaders will face Point University tomorrow in SSAC play at 12 p.m. at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.
