GULF SHORES, Ala. – The #10 Campbellsville Lady Tiger Softball team traveled down to Gulf Shores, Alabama to compete in the Gulf Coast Invitational Friday afternoon. The Tigers fell in both games against Blue Mountain College and Thomas University.
Game One: Campbellsville 4, Blue Mountain 5
Ryley Whitney did not wait around when it came to hitting at the plate. With two outs, Whitney hit a homerun and the Lady Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. During the second inning, Sam McKee doubled to left field. Ryleigh Oldham reached base via walk, but both were left stranded on base. The game progressed in a tight defensive battle. After a few errors by the Lady Tiger's defense though, Blue Mountain took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Ashby Murt sent a pitch through the right side that was good enough for a double. The Lady Tigers could not capitalize with a runner on base however, leaving Murt on second base.
Allison Bush came in to relieve Courtney Patterson in the circle in the top of the sixth inning. Blue Mountain College continued to find the open gaps on the field taking a 5-1 advantage over the Lady Tigers. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Whitney sent a pitch out to left field and landed herself a double. Emily Reynolds came in to pinch run for Whitney. Madison Davis singled to center field sending Reynolds in to add another run to the Lady Tiger's side of the scoreboard, 5-2. McKee also singled to center field advancing Davis.
For the seventh inning, Karson Williams came into the circle for the Lady Tigers. Murt sent a pitch through the right side giving herself a single. Lexi Miller reached base via walk pushing Murt into scoring position and bringing the homerun hitter Whitney to the plate. Whitney sent a pitch out to center field smacking a double and scoring Murt and Miller. Unfortunately, it was not enough for the Lady Tigers as they could not sercure another run and they fell to Blue Mountain College, 5-4.
The Lady Tigers had eight total hits, three of those belonging to Whitney. The Lady Tigers threw just 89 pitches landing a .685 strike percentage compared to the .629 strike percentage of Blue Mountain.
Game Two: Campbellsville 0, Thomas 8
In the second game of the afternoon against the Thomas University Night Hawks. The Night Hawks took an early two-run over the Lady Tigers in the first inning. It took until the fourth inning to see another score with Thomas adding two more runs to the scoreboard taking a 4-0 lead. The Lady Tigers struggled to but a bead on the ball through the entire game.
In the fifth inning, Williams came in to relieve Katy Chadwell in the circle. Thomas would respond sending two more runners around the bases. This gave them a six-run lead, 6-0. During the bottom of the fifth inning, Murt gave the Lady Tiger's their first hit of the ball game. Murt sent a pitch out to right field for a single. Murt stole second base and then advanced to third base. Just as it seemed momentum may be mounting, unfortunately, Murt was left on base.
Thomas continued to find the gaps on the field sending two more runners across the plate for the 8-0 advantage over the Lady Tigers. Unable to get their offense into any kind of flow against the Night Hawks, Campbellsville ended their first day with two losses.
The Lady Tigers fell to Thomas University, 8-0. Campbellsville only had Murt's hit and the Night Hawks struck out nine Lady Tiger batters. Chadwell and Williams threw a combined total of 100 pitches, 64 being strikes for a .640 strike percentage.
The Lady Tigers will stay in Gulf Shores, Alabama through Sunday for the completion of the Gulf Coast Invitational. They will be back in action tomorrow morning to take on Our Lady of the Lake University and Southeastern University. The games are set to begin at 10 a.m. ET and 12:15 p.m. ET.
