HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The No. 4 seed Lady Owls managed only three hits and were eliminated by No. 2 seed and host William Carey University in a 5-0 loss Tuesday in the opening round of the NAIA national championship.
William Carey (37-15) quickly jumped in front, scoring two runs apiece in the bottom of the first and second innings to build a 4-0 lead. The Lady Crusaders put up their last run in the fifth.
Senior shortstop Ari Arnold and senior center fielder Emma Walker had back-to-back singles with one out in the top of the fourth for William Woods University, which finished the season with a 23-27 record. Sophomore designated player Celeste Sermeno singled with one out in the fifth to account for the Lady Owls' other hit.
Junior pitcher Brittany Roady suffered the complete-game loss for William Woods. Roady (14-10) allowed five runs - three earned - on seven hits and struck out seven.