DECATUR, Ala. — William Carey secured its fifth SSAC softball tournament championship with a 2-0 win over Mobile on Saturday. The game was a pitchers’ duel, with both teams trading scoreless innings as defense dominated early.
William Carey threatened in the first inning, recording a hit and putting runners on base in the second but failed to score. Mobile responded with two singles in the opening frame and advanced a runner to third but was unable to score. The middle innings followed a similar pattern, with both teams generating baserunners but struggling to bring them home.
The Lady Crusaders finally broke through in the top of the fifth. Albanie Fussell and Caroline Lindsey reached base and moved into scoring position. Kinley Hogue then hit a double into left-center, driving in both runners to give William Carey a 2-0 lead.
Starting pitcher Ryanne Hornsby and the Carey defense held Mobile hitless over the final two innings. Mobile did not advance a runner past first base after the fourth inning. The Lady Crusaders retired six of the last seven batters to secure the shutout.
William Carey will now prepare for the NAIA Opening Round, scheduled for May 11-14 at Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.
