William Carey edged Loyola 17-10 in 11 innings to win the series at Loyola’s home field, according to team sources. The game featured a combined 27 runs and 27 hits, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times.
The Crusaders took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Jayden Mark singled to center, driving in Taylor Walters, and Franklin Hernandez added a two-run single. Loyola responded quickly, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning on a bases-loaded single and a throwing error, trimming Carey’s lead to 3-2.
The game remained tight through the middle innings. Carey pushed ahead again in the third, with Hernandez singling home Mark. Walters launched a solo home run in the fifth to make it 5-3. Loyola tied the game in the fifth on a double steal and a wild pitch, then took the lead in the seventh and ninth innings with a home run by Nathan McDonald and other key hits.
Carey forced extra innings with McDonald’s three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. Neither team scored in the 10th, but Carey broke the game open in the 11th. After two walks, a sacrifice bunt and errors helped the Crusaders score four runs, including a three-run home run by Hernandez.
Reliever Weston Hinnant closed out the game for Carey, striking out a batter to end Loyola’s rally. Carey is scheduled to host Talladega College on April 14 at Milton Wheeler Field.
