CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The Lady Tigers (23) rolled over the Blue Raiders (16) in their first game, defeating the team 5-1, but lost late in the second, 7-5. Heather Oakley managed three homers on the day, her last coming in the seventh inning of the second contest, but still CU couldn't overcome the deficit.
The split puts Campbellsville at 32-13 overall, 20-4 in the MSC, just one game behind LWC (21-3 in MSC).
Campbellsville 5, Lindsey 1
The Lady Tigers used a five-run third inning in their initial match-up against LWC for a 5-1 victory. Besides the third, CU wasn't unable to push any more across the plate, but it was more than enough becaue Lindsey could only add a home-run in the fourth.
Both teams managed hits in the first and second innings, but none could string together enough to score a run. Lindsey fell silent in the top of the third, though, with three quick ground-outs, the opposite of what would come for the Lady Tigers.
Senior lead-off Emma Napier was initially put on base, being hit by a wild pitch. She was followed by a sacrifice bunt from freshman Shelby Ray, advancing Napier to second. The shortstop was then pushed to home plate after sophomore Kristin Benton hit a deep double to center.
First baseman Heather Oakley then took the momentum to a new level, hitting a two-run homer over center on the first pitch (3-0 CU).
Lindsey quickly made a pitching change, replacing Kristina Krupinski with Jordan Hood, but it didn't stop the Lady Tiger scoring extravaganza.
Right fielder Adrean Jordan was put on base, being hit by the second wild pitch of the inning. Birthday girl Brooke Boils was put on free, as well, with a walk. Sara Paragon then stepped up big, plating both on a double before the inning ended with CU up by five.
The solo Lindsey run came in the top of the fourth when Andrea Jordan homered to left on a 2-2 count. The first baseman would hit yet another homer in the game to come.
Freshman Victoria Decker pitched the entirety of the game, earning the win while allowing only five hits and one run.
Paragon was perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with two RBIs. Benton was next in line, going 2-4, scoring once with one RBI. Oakley and Taylor Borders were the only other lady Tigers to manage hits, Oakley with two RBIs off her home run.
Lindsey 7, Campbellsville 5
Campbellsville came out strong in its second outing against LWC, but Lindsey was quick to answer, ultimately grabbing the 7-5 victory. The win puts Lindsey at the No. 1 spot in the MSC race.
Both teams saw three different pitchers in the match-up, as the Raiders and Tigers both were finding the ball with their bat.
Campbellsville was the first on board, scoring two in the second inning, with another Heather Oakley homer followed by back-to-back doubles from Brooke Boils and Kacie Vincent, Vincent scoring Boils for the RBI (2-0 CU).
Lindsey wasn't slow to respond, scoring an immediate two runs as well in the top of the third. Adrean Whalen proved to be clutch as she did in the previous game, with another homer, this time plating two (2-2).
The Lady Tigers kept their momentum, though, and added a couple more in the bottom of the inning, Shelby Ray beginning with a single up the middle. Her hit along with another single from Taylor Borders and two LWC errors put CU on top again, 4-2.
The teams fell silent in the fourth, each with no hits. A CU pitching change to begin the fifth proved to have no effect on LWC, though, which would go on to have three hits off of Courtney Turpin who replaced Kelsi Pardue.
Whalen began the energy yet again, with a single to right with two outs. A triple and single pushed across another two runs across for the Blue Raiders, causing coach Shannon Wathen to return Pardue in the circle, Lindsey ending the inning tied (4-4).
Lindsey managed another homer in the top of the sixth to begin the inning, this time from catcher Jane Egiazarova, who ended the day 2-4 at the plate (5-4 LWC).
Campbellsville's bats didn't slow down, putting runners on second and third with no outs in the fifth and then loading the bases in the sixth. The team could not find a break, though, and was unable to push across any runs despite the promising circumstances.
The Blue Raiders extended their lead even further, scoring two runs off of three hits and one CU error in the seventh.
Oakley hit her third homer of the afternoon in the bottom of the seventh, but was the only Lady Tiger to get a hit in the inning, making CU fall short by two runs.
Pardue saw 4 1/3 innings in the circle, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out seven. Turpin saw less than inning, allowing three hits and two runs. Martina Riney finished the game with two innings, allowing five hits and four runs.
Lady Tigers with hits include: Kristin Benton (2), Oakley (2), Napier (1), Ray (1), Borders (1), Boils (1), Vincent (1).
Oakley had two RBIs while Vincent had one. Kennedy Shutter, running for Taylor Borders, scored once as well as Boils.
The next Lady Tiger games will be held at Bluefield College this Saturday beginning at 1:00 EST. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
