In their first game played in 13 days, the Campbellsville was out-hit 14-6 and committed three errors on defense. It's the second-straight year CU has dropped its first game of the Opening Round.

"We gave a great effort, but we had a little noticeable rust. I don't live my life making excuses, and I don't think our boys do, but that's a long time without a game," said Beauford Sanders, CU head coach. "I love the way we carried ourselves today though. We played hard and got after it. I love these players that are down here with us."

The Tigers, serving as the visitors for the game, led off with back-to-back singles from Tanner Nielsen and Danny Lapchak. Craig Edwards and Keaton Neeb collected RBI ground outs to give Campbellsville a 2-0 lead after the first half inning.

Tiger starting pitcher Michael McBride (6-2) retired the first three batters he faced with only seven pitches. However the Fighting Saints strung together three hits to start the bottom of the second, scoring Joe Ruge on an RBI single by Steve Cservenyak.

Campbellsville went hitless in third through fifth, but added an insurance run in the sixth with the help of a leadoff double by Aaron Schwoebel. Nielsen laid down a sacrifice bunt, followed by an RBI single to right-center by Lapchak (2-for-4).

CU had a chance to threaten again in the seventh as Neeb led off with a single to left. Courtesy runner Levi McCamish swipped second, but was thrown out on a 3-2 ball in the dirt as he tried to steal third with a bad jump. Moments later, Rylan Chin was picked off at first to end the inning. CU runners were caught stretching, stealing or picked off four-times in the first seven innings.

The bottom of the seventh was the dagger for the Tigers, though.

After McBride had put together a good outing with an average of roughly 12 pitches an inning, he allowed five earned runs in the seventh. After giving up a single and hitting a batter, Jesse Gregurich singled in a run for the Saints. A bobbled ball in the infield by McBride on a bunt attempt loaded the bases before Brandon Mendoza hit an RBI sac fly to right to tie the game, 3-3. Andrew Shoemaker took over on the mound for Campbellsvilel and struck out the first his first batter faced before giving up three runs on back-to-back singles to center.

McBride finished the day giving up three earned runs off 11 hits through 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three. Neither Tiger pitcher gave up a walk.