LEWISTON, Idaho – Head coach Bobby Halford picked up his 1,300th career win, becoming only the seventh coach in NAIA history to accomplish this achievement, as William Carey defeated No. 1 Southeastern (Fla.) 13-4 on Monday night in the 66th Annual Avista NAIA World Series at Harris Field.
"Picking up career win 1,300 is a combination of a lot great players and assistant coaches," said Halford said. "I am very fortunate to be able to represent such a special place."
The Fire took an early 1-0 lead in the first on a wild pitch but Patrick Lee put Carey up 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning, launching a two out 2-run home run to left center. WCU added to their lead in the third, as Bobby Lada and Jake Lycette started the inning off with a double to right and a single to left. Preson Ratliff then delivered a one out single to left to score Lada and Rigoberto Hernandez scored Lycette on a fielder's choice to extend the Crusaders’ lead to 4-1.
The Crusaders added more runs in the fourth inning as Lycette doubled down the right field line to drive in two runs with Lee following with a double to score another run to push the lead to 7-1. SEU got a run in the sixth but in the bottom of the seventh, Lycette continued his strong day at the plate, leading the inning off with a solo homerun to centerfield. A 2-out fielding error later in the inning then scored two more runs.
The Carey offense was not done and in the eighth inning after three straight walks, Hernandez and Ratliff cleared the bases and pushed the lead to 13-2.
"The guys did a great job tonight against an outstanding ball club," Halford said. “AJ Stinson was really good for us on the mound. Jake Lycette and Patrick Lee really swung the bats well along with Hernandez who drove in three runs on three hits that helped ignite our offense.
Starting pitcher AJ Stinson (8-2) threw a 156-pitch complete game, allowing four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. Offensively, Lycette was 4-for-4 with three RBI and four scored runs while Ratliff, Hernandez, Lee, and Lada combined for nine hits, seven RBI, and seven scored runs.
"We had a saying before the game, Carpe Diem – Seize the Day," Stinson said. "Going up against one of the best teams, I wanted to do that, seize the day and give my team an opportunity to win."
The Crusaders are back in action Tuesday, May 30, as they take on Westmont (Calif.) at 8:35 pm CST.
