SIOUX CITY, Iowa — (BOX SCORE | BRACKET) Campbellsville was unable to take advantage of scoring opportunities in the final three innings and was eliminated 3-1 from the NAIA Softball World Series by William Carey (Miss.) at the Jensen Softball Complex on the campus of Morningside College.

The Lady Tigers end their season at 38-11 overall but saw many bright spots throughout the season, including making their first-ever NAIA World Series. CU also moved into the NAIA Top 10 for the first time in history and entered the World Series as the seventh-ranked team in the nation.

With the loss, the four seniors, Kristin Benton, Erin Benton, Kendyl Ahrens and Ashley Neal end their Lady Tiger careers.

"I am extremely proud of this group and everything they have accomplished," said coach Shannon Wathen. "They have set the bar very high for the future of our program by making it to the NAIA Softball World Series."

Campbellsville trailed 3-1 going into the final three innings and was unable to scratch a run with multiple opportunities in the fifth, sixth and seventh frames.

Erin Benton started the fifth inning rally with a single up the middle and was followed by a double down the left field line by Shelby Ray. Jacqueline Roof then made solid contact with a ground ball that went off the pitchers glove and deflected straight to the second baseman Chelsea Nette for William Carey. She made the throw on to first for the 1-4-3 out but Ray tried to advance to third and Benton stayed put. Benton was tagged out to end the rally.

Campbellsville had another opportunity in the sixth inning after a few miscues from the Lady Crusaders. Rebecca Miller reached on a leadoff walk and Brianna Scott reached on a fielding error by the WCU shortstop, Tiffany De Vore. But she made up for the error with two consecutive 6-5 fielders choices and a nice grab over the shoulder to end the inning off the bat from Markie Smith.

The seventh inning saw another base running mistake that proved costly and ended the Lady Tigers season. Erin Benton reached first base on another leadoff walk and was lifted for pinch runner, Kennedy Shutter. Ray lined out to the shortstop and Roof was robbed of a hit by a diving Nette at second base.

Shutter moved to second base on the diving play by Nette and was followed by Rebecca Miller's single. But Shutter ran through the stop sign at third base and was thrown out at home to end the Lady Tigers chances of making a comeback.

"I thought we had our opportunities," said Wathen. "At this point its about execution and doing the things that got us here. We got away from that a little bit."

Victoria Decker (19-6) was the tough-luck loser for the Lady Tigers after allowing only three runs in six innings. She also struck out four and walked one. The one walk came back to haunt Decker in the third inning, though. The one-out walk started the rally for William Carey which followed with three singles for a 3-0 advantage.

Kristin Benton drove in Campbellsville's only run with a RBI double to right-center field that scored Brianna Scott who reached on a walk. K.Benton, E.Benton, Miller, Smith and Ray all picked up the Lady Tigers' five hits.

Freshman Hannah Moak (19-7) picked up the win for the Lady Crusaders. She finished throwing her 18^th complete game, allowing five hits and one run.

"We've had a great season and this trip to the World Series has been a learning experience that we will use to get better," said Wathen. "The two games here in no means define the terrific season and careers this group has had. I am extremely proud of this team on the field but just as importantly off the field. These young women have represented Campbellsville University and Lady Tiger softball at the highest level possible and I couldn't be more proud."