Orange Beach, AL- No. 6 William Carey never could get on a roll in the 2010 Gulf Coast Invitational and the result was a 3-3 record for the tournament.

On Friday, the Lady Crusaders opened pool play with a 3-1 victory over Columbia College. The Lady Crusaders got RBI's from Casey Alexander, Judy Barber, and Jeana Erickson while Katie McCrary picked up the win working 5 innings allowing five hits and one run. Alyssa Boutwell retired all six batters she faced to earn the save.

 

The second game on Friday would be a sign of things to come especially for the Carey offense. Montreat College's Rachel Stowe needed only 81 pitches as she fired a no hitter to hand WCU a 1-0 loss. The lone run of the game came in seventh as Olivia Huffmas knocked home Jamie Lokken for the game winner.

On Saturday, the Carey offensive slump continued against Shorter College as Libby Munson defeated the Lady Crusaders for the second time this season. Shorter jumped out to a 4-0 lead before late homers from Bree Neidhardt and Judy Barber trimmed the lead to 4-3. Shorter would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth and Munson worked a solid seventh to hold off the Lady Crusaders. 

In game two, Anna Ard allowed just one run and the Carey offense plated five runs as WCU knocked off Trevecca Nazarene 5-1. Missy Paulina and Nikki Sanders each had two hits and Paulina drove in two runs.

With a 2-2 mark in pool play the Lady Crusaders opened silver bracket play on Sunday by dismantling Thomas University 14-3. WCU scored nine runs in the first inning before an out was recorded. Bree Neidhardt and Judy Barber each homered and drove in four runs. Katie McCrary picked up the win.

With the win over Thomas the Lady Crusaders advanced to a rematch with Columbia College. WCU defeated Columbia 3-1 in the tournament opener on Friday but Sunday was different. The Carey offense managed just four hits and Carey pitching squandered an early lead allowing five runs over the final three innings as Columbia ended the Lady Crusaders tournament with a  5-1 victory.

William Carey opens a four day home stand as they take on Grandview College on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm at Fail Field.