GULF SHORES, Ala - The Campbellsville University Lady Tigers had a rough start to their tournament, getting blasted in their initial game, but responded in the second by turning the tables with a 12-run win. CU fell 8-0 against Auburn University at Montgomery to start the morning and then defeated Emmanuel College 14-2.
"I was furious after the first game," said Wathen. "We played a good team, but not good enough to get three home runs off of us and then score nothing. Fortunately, we really bounced back in the second game against Emmanuel College. Our focus was better, and we improved our mental approach. We executed and gave an all around better effort."
Auburn University at Montgomery 8, Campbellsville 0
The Lady Tigers were unable to combat the offensive pressure of No. 8 Auburn Montgomery, which managed eight hits, three of which were home runs, while CU ended with only one hit on the afternoon.
AUM got on the board quickly, 2-0, after junior shortstop Jyssica Pepper hit a triple to the left field fence followed by the first of two home runs from sophomore Katie Spain.
Four more runs were added in the second inning after a walk, two singles, a double and a home run from the Warhawks (6-0).
CU junior pitcher Taylor Wroe was sent in to relieve Kelsi Pardue from the mound, and helped the team out of the inning.
Left fielder Alyssa Barker was the solo Lady Tiger to find a gap in the contest, with a double to right center in the second inning, but was left stranded at the bag.
Emma Johansen reached safely to first on an error in the top of the fourth. After stealing second and advancing to third on a pass ball, Laci Driggers sacrifice squeezed to put the score at 7-0 Warhawks.
Another home run from Spain finalized the score at 8-0 AUM, allowing them to take the victory by slaughter.
Martina Riney pitched relief for the last inning and a half, holding the Warhawks scoreless.
Campbellsville 14, Emmanuel College 2
The Lady Tigers' bats finally came alive in the second game as they slaughtered Emmanuel College (Ga.) 14-2 in five innings. Senior Emma Napier led the team with a single, triple and three RBIs.
Two CU errors combined with a single from Britney Burton in the first inning put Emmanuel on top first, 1-0.
It didn't take long for Campbellsville to respond, though, as Napier, the senior leadoff batter, lined a single to centerfield. After Napier stole second on a passed ball, Kacie Vincent followed with a slap bunt advancing Napier to third and reaching first base safely.
Clean-up batter Kristen Benton kept the momentum going, laying down a base hit suicide squeeze to score Napier and put Vincent in scoring position at third.
Heather Oakley followed by doubling on a shot to left field and scoring both Vincent and Benton, ending the first inning at 3-1 CU.
Freshman second baseman Shelby Ray singled with one out in the second inning and was hit in by a sacrifice from Vincent, giving CU a 4-1 lead.
Campbellsville batted around in the bottom of the third, adding yet another five runs. Emmanuel put both Benton and Barker on base after a walk and fielding error. Oakley then put down the squeeze, scoring Benton, and causing an overthrow to the plate allowing her to advance to second and Barker to third.
A shot down the right field line from pinch hitter Sarah Paragon plated Barker and moved Oakley to third base. Oakley who was soon plated as well on a Ray squeeze.
Napier drove in the final two runs of the inning on a triple to right-center, stretching the Lady Tigers' lead, 9-1.
Lady Lion Jennifer Jenkins clutched the third base hit for Emmanuel in the top of the fourth with a double and was hit in by Holly Saint for the second and final EC run, 9-2.
Campbellsville's offense continued to attack, plating five more runs, 14-2, in the fourth with hits from Adrian Jordan, Boils, Ray, Borders, and Benton.
A quick three outs in the top of the fifth allowed CU to take the victory early by the run-rule.
Victoria Decker pitched all five innings for CU, striking out four and allowing four hits.
Campbellsville (9-6) will return to the field Saturday afternoon, March 9, at 4 p.m. EST to face Belhaven University and 6 p.m. EST against Thomas University. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
