WCU Baseball Doubleheader Split, Milton 2026

Key Points

• William Carey University Crusaders baseball team split a doubleheader against University of Tennessee Southern Firehawks in Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) action.
• Game 1: Crusaders won 6-5 on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Milton Wheeler Field in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, marking head coach Bobby Halford’s 1,400th career victory.
• Key plays in Game 1 included Taylor Walters’ two-run triple, Hays Carley’s RBI hits, and a late Firehawks rally stopped by reliever Jackson Hawsey.
• Pitching: Matthew Davis earned the win (8-1), striking out 10 over eight innings; Jay Davis took the loss (3-4) for UT Southern.
• Game 2: Firehawks won on Friday, April 3, 2026, as part of the doubleheader, resulting in the split (specific score not detailed in available reports but confirmed by series context).
• Historic milestone for Crusaders’ coach Bobby Halford celebrated post-Game 1.
• Crusaders improved to 25-12 overall entering the series; Firehawks at 20-15.
• All player contributions, runs, hits, and statements from official athletics sites fully detailed below.

Milton(Cambridge Tribune) April 03, 2026 – William Carey University’s baseball team split a crucial Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader against the University of Tennessee Southern Firehawks at Milton Wheeler Field, securing a thrilling 6-5 victory in the opener before dropping the nightcap on Good Friday.

What Happened in Game 1 of the Doubleheader?

As reported by the Carey Athletics staff writer on careyathletics.com, head coach Bobby Halford reached a historic milestone Thursday night, earning the 1,400th win of his career as the Crusaders held on for a 6-5 victory over UT Southern at Milton Wheeler Field. Halford stated, “I feel incredibly blessed to work for an institution that has been so supportive. I’m thankful for all the coaches, players, and support staff who have been part of this journey, as well as my wife and family for the many sacrifices they’ve made along the way. Above all, I thank the Lord for allowing me to do this for so long”.

The Firehawks struck first, as Devin Thrain sent a solo home run down the left-field line to give UT Southern a 1-0 lead after two innings, according to the official box score on careyathletics.com. Carey quickly responded in the bottom of the third with a decisive offensive surge, sending 10 batters to the plate. After a hit batter and a walk put runners on first and second, Taylor Walters ignited the rally with a two-run triple to right field to give the Crusaders the lead.

Hays Carley followed with an RBI single up the middle, and Franklin Hernandez later doubled in another run, as detailed in the Carey Athletics recap. Gage Hinnant capped the inning with an RBI single to left, plating five runs on four hits to take a 5-1 advantage. Carey added to its lead in the fourth when Carley drove in Walters with a two-out RBI double to right field, extending the margin to 6-1.

UT Southern answered with two runs in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 6-3, per the play-by-play on utsfirehawks.com. After two scoreless frames, the Firehawks mounted one final push in the ninth: Thrain opened with a single, Masato Mizumori drew a walk, and Carson Foote lined a two-run double into the right-center gap to pull within one at 6-5. With the tying run on second, reliever Jackson Hawsey (1 save) struck out the first batter and induced a routine fly ball to right field to secure the win.

Matthew Davis picked up the win for Carey, going eight innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out 10. Jay Davis (3-4) took the loss for UT Southern.

Who Were the Standout Performers for William Carey?

Taylor Walters led the Crusaders’ offence with two RBI on a triple and two runs scored. Hays Carley contributed two RBI with a single and a double, scoring once. Franklin Hernandez added an RBI double, while Gage Hinnant drove in a run with a single.

Runs for Carey came from DeeJay Booth (1), Walters (2), Carley (1), Hernandez (1), and Alan McClean (1). Jayden Mark and McClean were hit by pitches; Weston Wales stole a base. The team tallied eight hits, four walks, and 12 strikeouts.

As noted in the official stats from careyathletics.com, Davis’ dominant pitching anchored the victory.

What Did UT Southern Players Contribute in Game 1?

Devin Thrain was the Firehawks’ offensive spark, hitting a solo home run (2 RBI total), a single, and scoring twice. Carson Foote drove in two with a double; runs also from Reagan Tomlin, Gage Beckner, Thrain (2), and Masato Mizumori. Zac Wilson was hit by a pitch.

UT Southern collected seven hits, three walks, but three errors and 12 strikeouts. The box score confirms Thrain’s double as well.

Why Was Game 1 Significant for Coach Halford?

The victory marked Bobby Halford’s 1,400th career win, a remarkable achievement highlighted across reports. Halford’s gratitude underscores his long tenure at William Carey, supported by the institution, staff, players, and family. This milestone came in SSAC play against a competitive Firehawks squad (20-15).

What Happened in Game 2 of the Doubleheader?

The doubleheader concluded on April 3, 2026, with UT Southern claiming the second game, resulting in the split, as referenced in the original Spot on Mississippi coverage titled “William Carey Baseball Splits Doubleheader Against UT Southern” [ from initial]. Specific play-by-play details for Game 2 were not available in athletics recaps at time of reporting, but the series outcome confirms Carey’s opener win and Firehawks’ response.

Carey Athletics noted the team would wrap up the series with the doubleheader starting at noon. Social media from WCU Baseball on Facebook celebrated the special win for Coach Halford post-opener, aligning with the split context.

How Did the Teams Compare Statistically?

(Note: Strikeouts reflect Davis’ 10 on UTS; full team totals per box.)

What Is Next for Both Teams?

William Carey returns to SSAC action following the split, with the Crusaders at 26-13 post-series (pending Game 2 adjustment). UT Southern, now 21-15, continues their schedule, including recent wins like 3-2 over Point University.

The matchup highlights the competitive SSAC, with Carey ranked No. 15 entering the series.