HATTIESBURG, Miss. — William Carey’s softball season ended in the NAIA opening round championship game, falling to Marian University 1-0. The game was a pitchers’ duel, with both teams combining to allow just one hit through the first four innings, according to sources.
Carey’s first hit came in the second inning when Jayden Sawyer singled, but the Lady Crusaders couldn’t capitalize. Marian, meanwhile, did not record a hit until the fifth inning. The Knights threatened in that frame, loading the bases with two outs, but a foul out ended the inning and kept the game scoreless.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth when Lily Wendt hit a single to left field, driving in Abbey Hofmann, who had been hit by a pitch. The single proved to be the only run of the game, securing Marian’s victory and the NAIA opening round title, according to tournament officials.
Marian’s pitcher Macy Coan retired William Carey in order in the seventh inning to complete the shutout, the sources said. The Lady Crusaders finished the season with a 41-14 overall record and an 18-4 mark in conference play, according to school officials.
