KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Strong leadoff and clean-up hitting and a complete-game shutout were key ingredients Thursday as Campbellsville University advanced past the University of Rio Grande, 5-0, in the opening round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament at Hunter Wright Stadium.

Brandon Johnson, hitting in the four-hole, drove in three runs as part of a 3-for-4 day to aid Matt Robertson (3-0) to his first complete game shutout. Robertson's win is the first decision for the junior pitcher since a March 16 win over Georgetown College.

CU produced runs each inning it had a runner reach third base, hitting .400 in the game with a runner 90 feet from home.

Tanner Nielsen returned to the starting lineup after a five-game absence and led off the bottom of the first with a single to right. With two outs in the inning, Johnson doubled to deep left-centerfield to score Nielsen from third.

Campbellsville loaded the bases in the fifth and seventh innings to add to its lead. In the fifth, Angelo Simmons battled to stay alive with a 1-2 count before singling to right to start the inning. He later scored on a one-out sac fly by Michael Bush.

In the seventh, Travis Hayes singled to start the inning, followed two batters later by Bush reaching on an error. Johnson delivered a one-out double to score two. Levi McCammish, courtesy runner for Keaton Neeb, later scored on a dropped fly ball to right hit by Carlos Torres.

CU hit .430 with runners in scoring position during the game, as it racked up 10 hits and four sacrifices to go along with three walks and three Rio errors.

Hayes matched Johnson's lead, hitting 3-for-4 with a run scored, followed by a 2-for-3 day by Simmons. Torres and Nielsen each had a single for CU.

Robertson allowed only four hits and two walks in the win. Rio runners moved into scoring position only three times, and the RedStorm stranded eight on base. Robertson struck out six.

Vincent Perry led the RedStorm with two hits, while Shane Spies and Chris Ford each had one. Michael Deitsch gave up all five runs, three earned, after giving up nine of the Tigers' hits.

Campbellsville (29-17) will meet regular season champion Cumberland University in the second round Friday at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast live by Cumberland University, here.