William Carey baseball advances to NAIA World Series after dominating Hattiesburg Regional

William Carey baseball is heading to the NAIA World Series for the second year in a row.

The Crusaders (37-14) rolled through the Hattiesburg Regional this week with a 3-0 mark, outscoring the opposition 41-14. They’ve won 11 games in a row, a streak that began April 20 and includes a Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament championship.

It’s the third time Bobby Halford has taken William Carey to the World Series in his 39 seasons as head coach. William Carey lost to Lewis-Clark State College in last season’s World Series semifinals.

The NAIA World Series begins May 24 at Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho. Matchups have yet to be determined.

William Carey was the No. 2 seed in the regional and beat Oklahoma Wesleyan 6-5 in Game 1 on Monday. No. 4 seed Milligan stunned No. 1 seed Mid-America Christian in its first game, setting it up against William Carey. The Crusaders smacked Milligan 24-5 on Tuesday with 11 players recording at least one RBI. Jake Lycette led the effort, batting 2-for-3 with five RBIs and two walks.

Milligan then upset Mid-America Christian again in an elimination game to bring a rematch against William Carey. The Crusaders won that 11-4 on Wednesday.

R.J. Stinson, William Carey’s first-ever Ferriss Trophy finalist, went 6-for-12 in the three games with one walk, five RBIs and six runs.

Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.