MBU Athletics

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Second-seeded Missouri Baptist University erased an early deficit with a five-run fourth inning in the NAIA Opening Round on Monday, but William Carey University (Miss.) responded with a pair of big innings to defeat the Spartans 13-9.
 
William Carey Recap
William Carey struck first with two runs in the opening inning as Franklin Hernandez delivered a two-run single to center, scoring Taylor Walters and DeeJay Booth.
 
Missouri Baptist answered in the fourth inning with five runs to take a 5-2 lead. Angelo Franco and Kai Gray each drove in runs with singles before Carlos Hidalgo launched a three-run home run to left-center.
 
The Crusaders quickly responded in the fifth, tying the game at 5-5 on a three-run homer from Hernandez.
 
Missouri Baptist regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Franco connected on a two-run home run to make it 7-5.
 
The game turned in the sixth inning, when William Carey plated five runs to reclaim the lead for good. A sacrifice fly by Walters, a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, and a bases-loaded walk tied the game before Barron Frazer delivered a two-run single to put the Crusaders ahead 10-7.
 
William Carey added two more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Hernandez to extend the lead to 12-7.
 
Hernandez finished 4-for-6 with seven RBIs, adding another run-scoring double in the ninth.
Missouri Baptist attempted a late rally in the ninth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Sam Paule, but could not close the gap.
 
Franco led the Spartans offensively, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run. Hidalgo also drove in three runs, while Griffin Brown scored twice.
 
Jimmie Johnson (6-2) earned the win in relief for William Carey, allowing two runs over four innings. JD Whitter (1-1) took the loss for Missouri Baptist.
 
Batting Leaders:
Carlos Hidalgo: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, R
Angelo Franco: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R
Sam Paule: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Griffin Brown: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B
 
Records:
Missouri Baptist: 39-11
William Carey (Miss.): 36-18
 
What's Next?
The Spartans will play an elimination game against fifth-seeded Central Baptist College on Tuesday, May 12. The first pitch is set for 11 a.m., in Williamsburg, Ky.
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