GULF SHORES, Ala. – The #10 Campbellsville Lady Tiger Softball team continued their journey in Gulf Shores, Alabama to compete in the Gulf Coast Invitational Saturday morning. The Lady Tigers were defeated in both close games against Our Lady of the Lake University and Southeastern University. 

Game One: Campbellsville 4, Our Lady of the Lake 5

The Saints took an early 1-0 lead over the Lady Tigers to start the first inning of the ball game. To begin Campbellsville's opportunity to respond, Sam McKee was given free bases after being hit by a pitch. Lexi Miller then laid down a sacrifice bunt advancing McKee to second base. The Lady Tigers could not capitalize with a runner in scoring position though. 

Katy Chadwell retired all three batters in the top half of the second inning. In the bottom half, Riley Hurst sent a pitch over the fence tying the ball game at 1-1. Bailey Richardson reached base via walk. Ryleigh Oldham was hit by a pitch finding herself on first base and moving Richardson into scoring position. McKee hit a single to right to load the bases. Campbellsville couldn't capitalize though and Richardson, Oldham, and McKee were left stranded on base. 

Through the top of the third inning, the Saints found a way to send two more runners around the bases taking a 3-1 lead over the Lady Tigers. Hurst added another hit to the Lady Tigers' tally sending a pitch to left field for a single but no runs would be scored. During the fourth inning, the Saints scored another run taking a three-run lead, 4-1. Karson Williams came in to relieve Chadwell in the circle. At the bottom of the fifth inning, Miller singled down the left field line grabbing a single. Miller stole second as well, but the inning ended before she could advance any further.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Hurst reached base via walk. Ashby Murt singled to right field to put Hurst into scoring position. Madison Gregory also reached base via walk which made the bases full. McKee then sent a pitch to right field landing herself a double and sending all three runners home. The Lady Tigers tied the game at 4-4. During the bottom of the seventh inning, the score remained tied causing the game to go into extra innings. In the top of the eighth inning, the Saints added another run to the scoreboard, taking a one-run lead. Unfortunately, the Lady Tigers could not answer back and fell to the Saints, 5-4. 

The Lady Tigers had six hits and McKee and Hurst led with two each. Campbellsville threw just 90 pitches compared to the 115 thrown by the Saints. The Lady Tigers had a .722 strike percentage against the .643 from the Saints. 

Game Two: Campbellsville 15, Southeastern 18

With two outs, Whitney sent a pitch to center field for a double and the first Lady Tiger hit of the ball game. Madison Davis was given free bases via walk to advance Whitney into scoring position. Despite their offense coming out buzzing, Davis and Whitney were ultimately left on base. In the bottom of the first inning, Southeastern took a 4-0 lead over the Lady Tigers.

During the second inning, McKee hit a triple sent out to right field. Murt then also hit to right field for a single and scored McKee. Keely Bowling reached base via walk pushing Murt to second. With two runners on base, Hurst sent another pitch over the fence for a three-run home run tying the game 4-4. Miller, behind the momentum of the offense that inning, hit a pitch to center field racking up a double. Whitney also reached base singling to the left side and advancing Miller to third base. It was a Lady Tiger onslaught as Davis singled to right field scoring Miller and sending Whitney to third base.

Through the top of the third inning, Richardson sent a pitch to right field for a single. Hurst found herself on first after singling to center field advancing Richardson to second base. On a passed ball, Richardson and Hurst moved up a base. Miller sent a pitch out to center field giving herself a double and scoring Richardson and Hurst. Whitney grounded out on a hit in the infield advancing Miller to third base. The Lady Tigers seemed to be on a hitting spree as Davis singled to left field bringing Miller in to score. Oldham would follow her teammates with a hit to right field for a double and scoring Davis. The Lady Tigers took a 9-4 lead over Southeastern. In the bottom of the third inning, however, Southeastern capitalized with runners on and answered back to take the lead, 10-9. 

Murt reached base via walk in the fourth inning. Hurst sent yet another pitch over the fence scoring herself and Murt. That same frame Whitney sent a pitch over the fence, scoring herself and Miller. This gave the Lady Tigers a three-run lead over Southeastern, 13-10. After Southeastern scored another run, cutting the Lady Tiger's lead to just two runs, Williams came in to relieve Courtney Patterson in the circle. Southeastern sent two more runners around the bases tying the game at 13-13. With Campbellsville seeking to stymie the run, Southeastern would add four more runs to the scoreboard taking a 17-13 lead. The top of the fifth was relatively uneventful for the Lady Tigers' offense. In the bottom half of the fifth inning though, Southeastern sent another runner in and took a 18-13 lead. 

During the top of the sixth inning, Miller sent a pitch over the fence for a one-run home run her first of the game. The Lady Tigers were still behind Southeastern and looking to close the gap even further. In the top of the seventh inning, McKee sent a pitch to the right side landing herself a triple. Hadlee Carter grounded out but scored McKee. Unfortunately, the Lady Tigers could not answer back to Southeastern's lead any further. The Lady Tigers fell to Southeastern, 18-15.

The Lady Tigers had 17 hits and four home runs. Campbellsville threw a combined total of 113 pitches with a .699 strike percentage compared to the 134 pitches with a .627 strike percentage of Southeastern. 

The Lady Tigers will stay in Gulf Shores, Alabama for the final two games of the Invitational. They will be back in action tomorrow morning to take on Louisiana State University Alexandria and Baker University. The games are set to begin at 10 a.m. ET and 12:15 p.m. ET.