COLUMBIA, Ky. — The Lady Tigers fought hard against No. 13 Lindsey Wilson College, splitting with the Blue Raiders on Thursday at Lindsey Wilson Park. Campbellsville (21-9, 11-1 MSC) used an extra inning to win by two in the first game, but fell to LWC (24-4, 8-2 MSC) in the second.
Campbellsville 7, Lindsey 5
An eighth-inning single from junior third baseman Brooke Boils proved to be the game-saver for the Lady Tigers who defeated LWC, 7-5, in their initial match-up. The Blue Raiders battled back from a four-run deficit to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh, but CU used Boils' hit combined with three Lindsey errors for the win.
Head Coach Shannon Wathen thinks the team put together their best game to date.
"I thought we came out in game one really focused and ready," said Wathen. "Our effort was outstanding and it was by far the best team win we have had this season. Lindsey Wilson is a very good team and our games are always a batlle. I'm proud of the girls for the victory."
Campbellsville got on the board early when lead-off Emma Napier scored on a wild throw, originally reaching base on a walk in the top of the first. Kristin Benton, who also reached on a walk, was plated by a Taylor Borders' single up the middle to put CU up by two (2-0).
Lady Blue Raider Kristina Krupinski answered in the bottom of the inning with her first of two homers in the ball game (2-1 CU). Her second long ball would be the tying run in the seventh.
Borders racked up her second RBI in the third on yet another single up the middle, scoring Kacie Vincent who singled earlier in the inning (3-1).
Napier cleared the fence in the top of the fourth for the 13th time this season, scoring herself along with Destiney Taul (5-1).
Lindsey bats came alive in the bottom of the inning, the Raiders managing four hits and three runs, including a two-run homer from Jordan Gilland (5-4).
Despite Krupinki's game-tying homer in the seventh, LWC couldn't get on the board again after Boils helped CU to two more runs (7-5).
Kelsi Pardue came in for the save in the eighth, striking out the last three batters.
Napier and Borders both led Campbellsville with two hits and two RBIs apiece. Boils finished with two hits and one RBI. Vincent and Shelby Ray were the only other Lady Tigers to manage a hit.
Victoria Decker pitched the initial four innings, allowing eight hits and four runs. Martina Riney took the win for CU, pitching three innings of relief and allowing three hits and one run.
Campbellsville 7, Lindsey 9
Campbellsville went on a four-run two-out rally in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to make up for the six-run deficit the Lady Tigers had going into the inning. The Blue Raiders managed 14 hits over CU's six in the second match-up, ultimately defeating CU 9-7.
Lindsey loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but only managed one run. CU's Sara Paragon evened the scoreboard with a home run over centerfield in the second, bringing the score to 1-1.
Travatia Bowden answered in the bottom of the inning with a homer of her own, but two more runs from the Lady Tigers in the third tied the game again after Kristin Benton put both Shelby Ray and Emma Napier across the plate (3-3). Ray opened the inning with a double.
Unfortunately, two back-to-back doubles from the Blue Raiders in the bottom of the fifth would give LWC the ultimate go-ahead (4-3).
Lindsey Wilson increased its lead to 9-3 in the sixth with five runs on five hits, including a three-run homer by Jordan Hood.
Campbellsville got hot in the seventh, scoring four runs on three hits, but were unable to make the total comeback.
Benton led Campbellsville with two hits and four RBIs. Kacie Vincent, Paragon, Napier, and Ray all managed one hit, Vincent and Paragon with one RBI each.
Kelsi Pardue (9-5) took the loss after scattering nine hits for four runs and nine strike-outs in five innings. Taylor Wroe saw one inning in the circle, allowing the five hits and five runs in the sixth.
The MSC loss is the first for the Lady Tigers, now 11-1 in conference.
The next games will be held on the road tomorrow against MSC opponent, the University of the Cumberlands. Games are scheduled to begin at 1:00 EST. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
