Hattiesburg — No. 13 William Carey University opened Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play with a double header split with Spring Hill College falling in game one, 4-1 and taking game two, 8-1.

In game one, the Lady Badgers got on the board first in the top of the third with an RBI single by Jessica Walters and RBI sac fly from Luaren Herrera. Carey used a two out rally in the bottom half of the third to score one run thanks to an RBI single from Bree Neidhardt which cut the Lady Badger lead to 2-1.

In the top of the sixth inning with one on and two out Lady Badger right fielder Jessica Feilder was injured during her at bat but pinch hitter Carlene Bolton stepped in and new what to do as she smacked a massive two run home run to put the Lady Badgers up 4-1.

Carey mounted a small rally in the seventh but was unable to score any runs.

Brittany Ladner took the loss in game one for the Lady Crusaders.

Carey finally got the bats going in game two. Carey started things off in the top of the first inning with three straight singles and double by Jill Wedgeworth to put the Lady Crusaders up 2-0. Carey added two more base runners to load the bases then starting pitcher Devin King ripped a bases clearing double to put the Lady Crusaders up 5-0. Tan Montgomery capped the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single to score King.

That was more than enough support for King as she allowed only four hits and one run with five strikeouts in a complete game effort as Carey knocked of the Lady Badgers 8-1.

Carey now stands at 21-4 and 1-1 in GCAC.

Heidelberg Academy hands Newton Academy 14-3 loss

The Heidelberg Academy Rebels reached the double-digit win mark Thursday night when they defeated Newton Academy 14-3.

The win brought the team to 10-3 on the season.

Colby Reeves pitched the win for the Rebels, giving him a 3-1 record on the season. Newton’s Landon Burt got the loss.

Blake Denham led the Heidelberg Academy batters with a double and a two-run homer. Colby Smith added a single and a double while Steven Peebles and Joseph Collins all hit a two-bagger a piece.

Reeves, Jamie Keenan and Derek Beech all added a single.

The Rebels head to Hoover, Ala. Friday for a tournament and will return to area action against Calvary Christian Thursday, March 27.