Bulldogs outlast Crusaders in NAIA World Series marathon game
The longest nine-inning game in Series history sees TWU overcome a late rally to face Taylor University in the championship match.
Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs have secured their place in the Avista NAIA World Series national title game after defeating the William Carey Crusaders 16-14 in a marathon contest at Harris Field. The match, which concluded at 2:09 am on May 31, stands as the longest nine-inning game in the history of the tournament, lasting four hours and 17 minutes.
The game began at 9:52 pm following a three-hour delay caused by rain and lightning. Tennessee Wesleyan (47-15) established an early dominance, building an 8-0 lead thanks to a strong performance from senior left-hander Isaiah Williams, who pitched four shutout innings. Hagen Escoto and Josh Shelly contributed home runs to extend the advantage, while Kolton Reynolds added a two-run shot that brought the mercy rule within reach.
William Carey (41-19) mounted a significant comeback in the sixth inning, capitalising on fatigue in the Bulldogs' pitching staff to score ten runs and take a 13-9 lead. The Crusaders, who had been eliminated from contention in previous years, appeared poised for a historic run to their first title-round appearance since 1969. However, Tennessee Wesleyan responded with resilience, reclaiming the lead in the seventh inning through an RBI single from Escoto.
The contest remained tight into the eighth inning, with Jayden Mark tying the score at 14-14 for William Carey. Tennessee Wesleyan regained the lead in the ninth when Josh Shelly hit an RBI double and scored on a subsequent play involving a slip by a Crusader fielder. Closer Bradley Johnson secured the final out by striking out Tyler Ducksworth, while Kolton Reynolds made a diving catch to eliminate Weston Wales.
The victory sets up a championship clash against the No. 1 seeded Taylor University Trojans. Coach Billy Berry had previously emphasised the team's willingness to endure physical strain, stating earlier in the week that players would get sleep only when they were dead. Tennessee Wesleyan continues a pattern of reaching the final every seven years, having won the title in 2012 and 2019, while Taylor enters the final with a 56-6 record.
