GULF SHORES, Ala. – Lady Tiger Softball used the long ball in a first-game comeback to beat Embry Riddle, 6-5, but fell to No. 23 Central Methodist in the nightcap, 4-1, on Day 1 of the Gulf Shores Invitational.

Game one – Campbellsville 6, Embry Riddle 5

Kristin Benton led off with a first-inning home run to put the Lady Tigers on the board, 1-0. But Embry Riddle picked up two runs in the bottom side off CU's starting pitcher Taylor Wroe.

The senior surrendered two more runs in the bottom of the second and was chased after only recording one out. She finished giving up six hits and four runs but only two were earned.

Fellow senior Martina Riney came in in relief in the second inning and quieted the Eagle bats. Riney, from Owensboro, Ky., picked up the win, giving up one run on five hits and striking out three.

Kristin Benton recorded her second RBI of the game in the second inning. Destiny Taul led off with a walk and Erin Benton used a sacrifice bunt to move her to second. Markie Smith singled to left and Kristen Benton knocked her in with a single to left center field.

"Kristin definitely set the tone in the first two innings," said Shannon Wathen, CU head coach. "She has a great approach and has adjusted well to hitting in the lead-off spot."

With Campbellsville trailing 5-3, Sara Paragon picked up her team-leading third hit in the top of the seventh inning with a leadoff solo home run. The junior designated player sparked a last-inning rally, which was capped off by the other Benton.

Erin Benton was not to be outdone by her twin sister, Kristin. After a double by Kate Black, the older Benton twin hit her first career home run, driving in two runs for the Lady Tigers to take a 6-5 lead.

"I couldn't be more happy for Erin," said Wathen. "She is a true testament to what one can accomplish when they stay focused and work hard."

Smith and Black both joined Kristin Benton with two hits apiece and Paragon led the Lady Tigers going 3-for-4.

"Paragon had a great approach at the plate today," said Wathen. "Her home run in the seventh inning really picked us up and got us going to complete the comeback."

Riney (1-0) surrendered a single and wild pitch in the bottom half but found the zone and picked up her first win of the season.

Embry Riddle starting pitcher, Alexis Estrada (3-3), started to get her pitch count high in the final innings and ended up giving up the 3-run homerun in the top of the seventh and surrendered the loss. All six runs for CU were all earned as Estrada threw 150 total pitches.

Game two – No. 23 Central Methodist 4, Campbellsville 1

Campbellsville seemed to start right where it left off in the previous win against Embry-Riddle by getting two runners on base in the opening inning. But the Lady Tigers could not push a run across to end the threat.

Victoria Decker (6-3), started in the circle for CU. Last year's MSC Freshman of the Year struggled with command in the opening inning against Central Methodist. The Eagles loaded the bases but were also unable to push a run across.

The third inning was a different story for Decker and CU. Central Methodist scored two runs and that was all it needed to pick up its sixth win of the young season.

Kristin Benton once again put the Lady Tigers on the board first by driving in Adrean Jordan with an RBI triple to cut the lead to 2-1.

But Central Methodist was not finished, as Decker got into trouble for a second time. After giving up her third run, Martina Riney replaced the sophomore in the circle and also gave up a run after striking out the first batter she faced.

Campbellsville could not muster any more offense in the final two innings to complete the upset.

The Lady Tigers move to 16-4 overall and still sit at 4-0 inside the Mid-South Conference. CU will hit the diamond again Saturday in the Gulf Coast Invitational against St. Thomas (Fla.) and Faulker (Ala.) at 2 and 6 p.m. ET.

You can follow the action live on Dakstats, here. Also check out the Lady Tigers on Twitter- @CvilleLTS and @CvilleTigers. Also on Facebook – Campbellsville Tigers.