TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College broke its NAIA-era record for single-season wins Thursday, collecting win No. 19 as the Tigers took down the 19th-ranked William Carey University Crusaders, 4-3, in Game 1 of the Southern States Athletic Conference Series of the Week. Game 2 went to WCU, 3-2. The win was also Stillman's first over an NAIA Top 25 team since upsetting then No. 14 William Carey in the 2019 SSAC Tournament.


GAME 1: STILLMAN 4, No. 19 WILLIAM CAREY 3 (8 INNINGS)

Bailie Seales singled through the left side and Sara Kate Nichols scored to give Stillman a walk-off win in the bottom of the eighth inning. Stillman was forced into extra innings after an bobbled ball at first base with two-outs put the tying run aboard in the top of the seventh. Carley Kidder then tripled off the top of the right centerfield fence to tie the game.

Kidder drove in all three runs for William Carey, including RBI ground outs in the first and third innings to give WCUA a 2-0 lead. Brooklyn Pennington reached on an error in the third that helped score a run. The Tigers took advantage of pitching woes in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead, 3-2. Anniston Jones scored on a wild pitch before Lauren Haskin scored on a go-ahead passed ball.

Jones hit 2-for-3 to lead Stillman, while Haskins, Seales, Madison Bubel and Savannah Mayes each had one hit.

Faith Byram improved to 7-1 on the season, allowing seven hits and one walk. She gave up three runs, two earned, and struck out three. The Tigers took down the SSAC's wins leader in the circle, moving Ryanne Hornsby to 12-3. She allowed four runs, three earned, off six hits and a walk. She struck out three.


GAME 2: No. 19 WILLIAM CAREY 3, STILLMAN 2

Susie LeBert and Chloe Oliver each singled in a run in the top of the first to give William Carey a 2-0 lead. Stillman evened the score in the bottom of the second with a Carolyn Carter ground out RBI. Savannah Mayes later singled to right to score Bailie Seales and tie the game at 2-2. The Tigers left two on base in the second.

Carley Kidder collected her fourth RBI of the day with a single to center in the top of the fifth, taking the lead, 3-2. Stillman worked the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth but was unable to push across a run.

Lexi McCray (4-5) shutdown the Crusaders in the sixth and seventh innings to give Stillman a chance, but was unable to secure the win. Lauren Haskins legged out a two-out double to put the tying run in scoring position in the seventh, but that was the only Tiger threat.

Mayes hit 2-for-3 in the game and had three total hits in the doubleheader to lead all players. Haskins, Katelyn Lankford and Madison Bubel each had one hit in the second game.

McCray gave up three runs off eight hits. She struck out four. Haley Nations (7-3) allowed two runs off three hits and two walks through four innings to earn the win. She also struck out four. Allison Gutierrez closed the game for her first save of the season, allowing two hits and a walk through three scoreless innings.

NEXT: Stillman (19-6, 5-5 SSAC) will host No. 10 University of Mobile on Friday for a noon doubleheader.