The William Carey University softball team, which features a trio of women that played ball in Pearl River County, made a good first impression over the weekend at the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

The Lady Crusaders used timely hitting, some solid defense and got an impressive outing in the circle as they defeated No. 3 seed Olivet Nazarene, 2-0 in day one action at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga.

Olivet Nazarene entered Friday night’s game with a record of 49-3-1 and sported an offense that ranked in the top 10 in 12 different offensive categories. However WCU starter Brittany Lang shut the opponents bats down in picking up the shuutout Win.

The Crusaders (48-10) move into the winner’s bracket of the double-elimination event and were slated to meet No. 2 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) Monday night.

Poplarvillle’s Janessa Dedeaux, a senior catcher for the Lady Crusaders, was behind the plate throughout Lang’s masterpiece. Dedeaux made two put outs on defense, while freshman leftfielder Tiffany Devore from Picayune recorded three put outs from her spot.

Former Pearl River Community College pitcher Brittany LeBlanc is also a member of the WCU team.