The 29th Annual Tournament will begin with pool play from May 14-16.  Winners from each pool will move onto an eight-team double elimination bracket, played from May 18-20. The Lady Crusaders are the top seed in Pool E.

The Waldorf College  Lady Vikings are currently 32-11 on the season and this will be the first ever meeting between the Midwest Collegiate Conference Champions and the Lady Crusaders
   

On Friday, May 15 the reigning GCAC Champions will take on American Mideast Conference champion Notre Dame College  at 9:00 am. The Lady Falcons (30-9) and Lady Crusaders met back on March 7 in the 2009 Leadoff Classic with Carey coming out on top, 6-4. Jill Wedgeworth led the Lady Crusaders going 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI's. In the game Carey jumped all over Notre Dame racing to a 5-1 lead after two innings before the Lady Falcons plated three runs in the fifth to trim the lead to 5-4. Carey added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth and reliver Brittany Fuller allowed just one hit in 2 2/3 innings of relief to earn the save.
   

Carey will conclude pool play on Saturday as they take on #12 Brenau (GA) at 10:30 am. The Lady Crusaders handed the Lady Tigers (40-10) their first loss of the season on March 13 in the Gulf Coast Invitational. GCAC Player of the Year Judy Barber belted two home runs and Kelsey Jo Smith scattered nine hits in six innings of work to pick up the win.

The Lady Crusaders are currently 40-6 on the season. The reigning GCAC Champs are led by the big bats of Jill Wedgeworth and Judy Barber. Barber the reigning GCAC Player of the Year is hitting .411 with 16 homers 12 doubles, and 49 RBI. Wedgeworth is hitting .367 with 10 round trippers, 13 doubles, and 56 RBI. In the circle Carey is led by Junior Melanie Bush and Freshman of the year Kelsey Jo Smith. Bush is 15-1 with a 1.66 ERA while Smit is 13-3 with a 2.03 ERA.

"We're glad to finally get to this point- but we are not satisfied," said Carey head coach Wendy Hogue.  "Theres much more to be done. We have worked since early August for a chance at being the best and we are going to continue to work toward that goal for the next week or so. We are proud to represent William Carey University and pray we will continue to do so in a positive manner. We are a talented team as everyone here but the bottom line its going to come down to who wants it more and i'll tell you we want it pretty badly!!"
 

The championship will be played at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.  In all, 32 teams will come together in Decatur to play for the championship, as 25 squads received automatic bids and seven more made the tournament as at-large selections. You can keep track of the Lady Crusaders quest for a national championship at www.careyathletics.com or http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/072908aaa.html

An all tournament pass can be purchased for $35 or pay $8/day for adults and $3/day for students. For ticket information, contact the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex at 256-341-4810