Box Score

JACKSON, Miss. – Campbellsville dropped its second-straight baseball game to open up the 2014 season, losing 6-3 to Belhaven University.

The Tigers once again could not overcome the big inning, as that was the difference in tonight's contest. Belhaven scored five runs in the fifth inning to open up 6-0 lead. 
 

"That one big inning beat us," said CU pitching coach Brad Neffendorf. "We have to find a way to minimize damage on the pitcher's mound, whether that's mixing up our pitches more ... keeping the ball in the zone. We can't give up the big innings and expect to compete in the NAIA and in our league."

 

Chris Tuma took the hill for the Tigers and he was making his first CU start. The Fremont, Calif. native pitched well in his first four innings, giving up only one run on three hits. But the fifth inning was a different story, as Belhaven picked up a leadoff double and a single to plate the first run of the inning.

 

Tuma surrendered another single to Elizabethtown, Ky. native Paul Pickerrell, who advanced to second base on a steal and advanced to third on yet another single by Reagan Rutledge.

 

Sanders decided to make a pitching change with two runs in for the Blazers and runners on first and third with one out. The veteran coach went to a winter break transfer, left-hander Brad Williams of Perth, Australia.

 

Williams was also making his CU debut and the jitters may have gotten to him, as he balked during his first batter, scoring Pickerrell and Rutledge advancing to second. Rutledge stole third on the next pitch and scored on a ground ball out to shortstop Ricky McColloch.

 

Now with the bases empty, two outs and only one pitch to get out of the inning Belhaven's Boomer Scarborough sent the Williams fastball over the left-field fence for the fifth run of the inning.

 

"We didn't make the big pitch when we needed it and Scarborough caught up to a fast ball that he was late on all day," said Neffendorf. "We have to do better in counts when we are ahead and not waste any pitches."

 

Campbellsville struggled from the plate today, picking up six hits. Rayko Bellmas started the game for BU and shut the Tigers down for the first six innings. He finished his six innings of work with only 66 pitches, five strikeouts and allowing one walk.

 

Once Belhaven made the pitching change, though, and went with Justin Atkinson, the Tigers seemed to make an adjustment and be more patient at the plate. CU picked up its first run in the seventh inning after back-to-back leadoff walks seemed to give the dugout a little life.

 

With Jacob Russell coming to the plate and runners on first and second, it seemed like a great time to spark a rally but the big right fielder grounded the ball to Emilio DeSilve at first base, who then started a 3-6-1 double play.

 

Alex Kline, who picked up the first walk, advanced to third on the double play and Atkinson seemed to have the jitters just like Williams did for CU because the tall righty balked to give CU its first run.

 

Sanders then made another pitching change and tipped his hat to senior Jacob Phillips. Phillips, who is one of four pitchers from last season's team, who pitched more than 19 innings in 2013, set the tone in the bottom of the seventh inning.

 

Phillips picked up a fly ball for the first out and struck out back-to-back batters, both looking, which set the Blazers down for the third time in order.

 

The back-to-back strikeouts seemed to ignite the Campbellsville bench, as the Tigers came out and put up a two spot in the top of the eight inning.

 

Belhaven made another pitching change and went to sophomore Drew Broyles. Campbellsville made the Blazers pay, as the Tigers were able to get their first two hitters on base. On second base now is Shane Woodson after Gentry Kinsella picked up his first hit of the game.

 

CU applied a little pressure to the Belhaven defense and used a double steal to move the runners up to third and second with nobody out. Alex Scanlan was unable to drive in Woodson from third base, as he grounded out the third baseman. But Junior catcher Carlos Torres, who is the lone position player from last year's squad, picked up his second hit, driving in both Woodson and Kinsella.

 

Belhaven switched pitchers once again and went to Austin McCann. CU was able to muster another single by Alex Gutierrez but McCann was able to pick up two quick outs on the next two batters.

 

Campbellsville was able to get a hit in the last inning but Tyler Akins struck out back-to-back batters and Kinsella grounded out to Akins to end the game.

 

CU was led by Ricky McColloch, as the Sonora, Calif. native went 3-for-4 with three singles. Torres stepped up for the Tigers as well but did so on both side of the ball. He went 2-for-4 from the plate but also caught DeSilva trying to steal second base to end the bottom of the eight inning.

 

"We had some better approaches today at the plate," said CU assistant Randy Lebleu. "All around it was better than yesterday but we haven't got the big hit when we need it yet."

 

Campbellsville (0-2) will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as the Tigers will face University of Saint Francis (0-2). First pitched is scheduled for 12-noon and live updates will be available on Twitter - @CvilleTigers.

 

To follow CU Tiger Baseball throughout the 2014 season, check them out on Twitter - @CTigersBaseball