CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University started strong but ended sloppy in Monday's split against Cumberland University (Tenn.). CU used 12 hits to defeat the Bulldogs 8-2 the first game, but fell by run-rule, 13-3, in the second.
The loss comes as the first home defeat for the Lady Tigers (26-10, 16-2 MSC) and only the second conference defeat this season. Cumberland is now 30-13 overall and 12-8 in the MSC.
Campbellsville 8, Cumberland 2
Lady Tiger bats were hot in their initial match-up with Cumberland, putting 12 hits together for a 8-2 Bulldog defeat.
Junior Brooke Boils got the Lady Tigers a quick lead in the second inning, hitting a three-run homer over the centerfield fence (and into the stomach of Lady Tiger basketball guard and softball fan, Katie Allen). The third baseman plated Taylor Borders and Heather Oakley, who each reached on singles to begin the inning (3-0 Campbellsville).
Kristin Benton and Borders both singled to begin the third inning, Borders scoring Benton on a deep shot to right center (4-0 CU).
The next CU run came from sophomore Sara Paragon in the fifth, hitting a long-ball over the left field fence.
Cumberland managed to get a couple runs on the board, scoring one in both the fourth and sixth innings off of two Bulldog singles and a homer from Kacy Hobbs, bringing the score to 5-2 CU. Campbellsville's bats weren't done, though.
Designated hitter Adrian Jordan began the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle and was scored by Benton with a single to right. Emma Napier and Shelby Ray also scored after reaching base by walk and error, Borders and Oakley collected the RBIs on ground-outs.
Napier, Benton, Borders, and Paragon each had two hits in the game followed by Oakley, Boils, and Taul with one a piece.
Players with RBIs include: Boils (3), Borders (2), Benton (1), Oakley (1), and Paragon (1).
Freshman pitcher Victoria Decker picked up her 13th win of the season (13-1), pitching six innings with four strikeouts.
Martina Riney pitched the last inning of relief, striking out one and allowing no runs.
Cumberland left six runners on base in its seven innings of play.
Cumberland 13, Campbellsville 3
The fourth inning of the second game was like a nightmare for the Lady Tigers who allowed 10 runs from the Bulldogs. Campbellsville initially led 3-1 going into the inning, but finished 10 below Cumberland which took the victory, 13-3.
Campbellsville's pitching struggled to get much past the Bulldogs. Kelsi Pardue began in the circle, pitching the first three innings and beginning the fourth. After allowing five hits and five runs, Martina Riney came in for the relief, but Cumberland had her number as well, using four hits for four runs. Courtney Turpin was the third pitcher to be seen, getting CU out of the inning and pitching the fifth.
Still, Cumberland scored another four runs, three unearned off of Lady Tiger errors.
Cumberland had 10 of its 14 hits in the fourth, including a grand slam from Natalie Garcia and a three-run homer from Jessica Roper. The Bulldogs sent 15 batters to the plate in the inning with 12 straight players reaching base on nine hits, two walks and an error.
Kristin Benton had two hits and one RBI for CU. She was followed by Shelby Ray with one hit and two RBIs. Emma Napier and Heather Oakley were the only other Lady Tigers to manage hits.
The next Lady Tigers contests will be held Wednesday, April 10 at Midway College. Games are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EDT. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
