HENDERSON, Tenn. — Senior right-hander
Nick Przybylek allowed three runs in the first inning to No. 24 Freed-Hardeman and Campbellsville was unable to recover, falling 7-2 in the 2017 season opener.
The Lions (3-1) jumped on Przybylek (0-1) from the get-go, as he fell victim to a season-opening walk to the first batter of the game. After a bloop single down the left field line by Chase Young, Przybylek then suffered a hit by pitch to load the bases. A fielders choice scored the game's first run before Aden Campbell and Darcy Moore both delivered RBI singles to put the Lions ahead 3-0.
Przybylek tossed just 2.1 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs. He finished with a pair of walks and three strikeouts in 68 pitches. In the third, Przybylek allowed another bloop single to Moore but after a fly ball out to left field, coach
Beauford Sanders went to
Dexter Cline out of the bullpen.
Cline's second batter, Joe Leatherwood, attempted a drag bunt but his throw sailed down the right field line - scoring a fourth run. Cline then ended the inning with a strikeout to get out of the jam.
Cline pitched well in relief, allowing just one hit and one earned run in 2.2 innings, while striking out four.
Now trailing 4-0, Campbellsville finally got on the board with a pair of doubles.
Brett Hamilton led off the fourth inning with a double and
Matthew Valdez reached via hit by pitch. Leadoff batter
David Montoya then grounded out to move both runners into scoring position and
Romello Carbuccia brought in both runs with a two-RBI double to the right-center field gap.
Carbuccia led the Tigers going 3-for-4, but CU did not have another Tiger with multiple hits.
The two runs in the fourth was all Campbellsville could muster, as the Lions picked up insurance runs in the sixth. Brandon Guske (2-0), a 2016 NAIA Second-Team All-American, went the distance for Freed-Hardeman and allowed eight hits, two earned runs and struck out five Tigers. He finished with 115 pitches in the complete-game victory.
In the three-run sixth inning, Cline started the inning with a hit by pitch – the third time a CU hurler started an inning with a free base (all three ended up scoring). Sanders then made a change to sidearm righty D.J. Wilson but the first batter he faced, Chase Young, delivered a two-run home run giving the Lions a 6-2 lead.
Young and Darcy Moore both finished with three hits and four RBI for the Lions.
Freed-Hardeman then scored on another free base allowed by CU. Wilson fell victim to a wild pitch moving a runner into scoring position and Moore drove him in with an RBI double.
Kirby Broadbent also saw time on the hill in the final two innings and allowed one hit in the seven batters he face.
Games two of the three-game series is slated to start on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. Live video and stats will be available via Freed-Hardeman on CampbellsvilleTigers.com.
