No. 21 Campbellsville hands No. 24 Union 5-3 loss

Box Score Campbellsville University, ranked No. 21 in the NAIA, seized the early lead and then held on for the 5-3 victory over host No. 24 Union Wednesday in a battle of NAIA Top 25 squads.

The Tigers scored four runs through the first three innings and led 5-0 before the Bulldogs attempt a comeback. However, Campbellsville held off Union to improve to 29-13 overall on the year, while Union (29-11) has to wait another day for its 30th win.

Campbellsville took advantage of a throwing error in the first in scoring the game's first run. With one out and a runner on first, pinch-runner Jameel Ziadeh stole second and advanced to third on an overthrow by Corey Estep. Brian Chase then grounded out to second, allowing Ziadeh to score easily.

The Tigers made it 2-0 in the second thanks to a Craig Edwards RBI double. In the third, Chase made it a 4-0 contest with a two-run home run to left field.

It remained a four-run game until the sixth when Campbellsville collected a two-out, run-scoring single from Tyler Craig.

Down 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Union scratched out two unearned runs to pull within 5-2. With runners on the corners and two outs, Steve Scheelk drove in a run on an infield hit to push the Bulldogs' first run across. Josh Longbrake followed with a single up the middle to score Donnie Popham to make it a three-run game.

Union loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth with one out, but only squeaked out one run when Longbrake reached on a fielder's choice, cutting the margin to 5-3.

In the ninth, Tiger closer Spencer Frantz set down the Bulldogs' top of the lineup in order for his first save on the year.

Michael Caleb collected the win, improving to 3-2 on the season. He lasted six innings, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Chase helped spark the offense with three RBIs, while Caleb and Richie Rowland each had two hits. Ziadeh scored three runs.

Longbrake and Scheelk were each 2-for-4 at the plate for Union with Longbrake picking up two RBIs and Scheelk one.

Matt Modlinski suffered the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season, giving up four runs, three earned, on five hits, no walks and one hit batter in 2/ 1/3 innings of work.

Campbellsville travels to the University of Rio Grande for a four-game Mid-South Conference series April 16-17. The Tigers hold a half game lead of Rio in MSC play, as they battle for first place this weekend.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Caleb: INF; Junior

#44 Brian Chase: 1B; Senior

#1 Tyler Craig: OF/3B; Junior

#5 Craig Edwards: 1B; Sophomore

#3 Spencer Frantz: P; Senior

#24 Richie Rowland: C; Junior

#42 Jameel Ziadeh: OF; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Caleb
: Junior
: INF

#44 Brian Chase
: Senior
: 1B

#1 Tyler Craig
: Junior
: OF/3B

#5 Craig Edwards
: Sophomore
: 1B

#3 Spencer Frantz
: Senior
: P

#24 Richie Rowland
: Junior
: C

#42 Jameel Ziadeh
: Junior
: OF