The Tigers' offense capitalized off two Spartan errors in the second and posted two runs. Mark Garza got things going with a double down the right field line and scored on a Rylan Chin single up the middle. With Brandon Johnson and Michael Durham each drawing walks, the bases were juiced for Keaton Neeb. Neeb popped a fly in foul territory, but it was deep enough to score Chin, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

The Spartans threatened in the sixth, but the CU defense remained stingy. With one out, MBU's Patrick Johnson knocked a double down the right field line and Kyle Turner followed with a single. The Spartans had two on with only one out, but failed to score as CU held onto its 2-0 lead. Campbellsville added insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Aaron Schwoebel reached with a base on balls and eventually scored on a single from Craig Edwards.

CU matched two runs with Spartan errors in the seventh. Gibby Briones reached on a Spartan error and Chin was able to beat out a bunt to start the inning. After advancing on a bad throw, both Chin and Briones scored thanks to a Johnson single to left.

The Spartans finally got on the board, in the eighth, with a solo home run by Kyle Turner but failed to cross the plate again. Garza responded for the Tigers' final run, 6-1, with a solo shot of his own in the bottom half of the eighth. The Tigers retired the first three Spartan batters to close the game and pick up their 17th victory of the season.

Garza, Johnson, and Chin each had two hits on the day to lead the Tigers. MSU was led by Kyle Turner who had a single and a homer on the day and scored the only Spartan run.

CU pitcher Phillip Gerber (1-0) went seven innings for the Tigers, while allowing only five hits and striking out six. Chad Leskiw and Travis Roberts also made appearances on the mound for the Tigers, both finishing one inning each.

CU (17-4) will travel to Trevecca Nazarene University (7-9-1) Wednesday. The game is set to start at 3PM EST.

Story by Dutch Johnson