Bulldogs Prevail in Longest Nine-Inning Contest in NAIA World Series History
LEWISTON, Idaho- The final out wasn't recorded until 2:07 a.m., 4 hours and 17 minutes after the first pitch. By then, Tennessee Wesleyan and William Carey (Miss.) had combined for 30 runs, 34 hits, a record-tying 16 batters in one inning, and the longest nine-inning game in NAIA World Series history. When the dust finally settled, it was the Bulldogs standing on top with a 16-14 victory Thursday night (Friday morning) at Harris Field.
Tennessee Wesleyan was in control early, scoring in each of the first five innings to build a 9-3 cushion. Hagen Escoto sparked the offense with a two-run home run in the second frame, while Josh Shelly and Kolton Reynolds added home runs during a four-run stretch that pushed the Bulldogs comfortably in front.
William Carey answered with one of the biggest innings in World Series history. The Crusaders sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs in the top of the sixth inning, tying the tournament record for most batters in an inning while turning a six-run deficit into a 13-9 advantage.
DeeJay Booth and Jayden Mark each delivered RBI singles during the rally, while Gage Hinnant's two-run single gave William Carey its first lead of the night. Booth later added a two-run hit as the Crusaders completed the stunning comeback.
The Bulldogs responded immediately and chipped away at the deficit before drawing even with a four-run seventh inning. Reynolds doubled home a run before RBI singles from Adrian Espinoza, Kaden Tolson and Escoto tied the game at 13-13.
William Carey briefly reclaimed the lead in the eighth on Mark's RBI single, going ahead 14-13, but Tennessee Wesleyan had one more response left in them. Shelly doubled home the tying run before David Ballenilla's single and a Crusader error allowed the go-ahead run to score. The Bulldogs added an insurance run later in the inning and held on in the ninth to seal the game.
Escoto finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and a home run to lead Tennessee Wesleyan. Reynolds drove in four runs, while Shelly added three hits, including a home run and two doubles. Rob Gordon reached base four times and scored three runs.
Booth went 4-for-6 with three RBIs for William Carey, while Franklin Hernandez drove in four runs, highlighted by a three-run home run in the fifth inning.
Bradley Johnson earned the win in relief for Tennessee Wesleyan after working the final 3.1 innings. Matthew Davis took the loss on the bump for William Carey.
The teams combined for 34 hits, 16 walks, and five errors in a back-and-forth contest that featured four lead changes.
Tennessee Wesleyan will face Taylor (Ind.) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. PT right here at Harris Field.
