BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After climbing back against Bethel and winning in convincing fashion, the Lady Tigers continued their journey in the Mid-South Conference Softball Tournament Saturday night hitting the field against the University of Tennessee Firehawks.
Campbellsville took three of the four regular season meet-ups over Tennessee Southern back in March all via run rule. Still, the Firehawks had a much stronger second half of the season going 16-10 after taking the final game in the series against the Lady Tigers.
In the top of the first inning, Tennessee Southern proved they came to play. The first batter of the night smacked a double and that was followed up by a single. Another hit would result in the first score of the ball game.
Karson Williams got a batter out swinging for out one, but one more hit led to two additional runs before it was Campbellsville's turn at bat. Down 3-0, it was three up, three down for the Lady Tigers.
Campbellsville cracked down in the second frame allowing just one hit but still they couldn't muster much with their offense once again putting up three batters to see them all ousted before reaching base. It would be a repeat for the Firehawks in inning three as they recorded a single hit before being retired to defense. The Lady Tigers were able to get two on base with walks but both were left stranded heading into the fourth frame.
The top of the fourth didn't produce anything for the Firehawks going three up, three down.
Ryley Whitney was walked but that was the only progress as a foul out and then a double play would shut down Campbellsville's chance to catch up.
Tennessee Southern's leadoff batter in the fifth inning launched a home run. Not to be deterred, the Lady Tigers didn't falter and remained focused to allow just one more single before taking their turn at bat.
Taylor Windell smacked a double to kick things off and
Ryleigh Oldham carried that momentum with a single.
Keely Bowling struck a sacrifice fly scoring Windell and getting Campbellsville's first run of the contest.
Ashby Murt would keep things going reaching on a fielder's choice but an excellent slide from Oldham kept her safe at third. Before the final out,
Riley Hurst sacrificed herself to send home Oldham and cut the Firehawks' lead to just two going into the sixth.
Katy Chadwell would relieve Williams on the mound going in to the last two innings of the game. The first Tennessee Southern player was walked, but then Chadwell picked up a strikeout and then two balls grounded out to her. It would be a fast seventh inning for Campbellsville as they put up three batters who all connected with their ball but couldn't get to first.
In a crucial defensive stand, the Lady Tigers reciprocated the three up, three down play that the Firehawks had put on them just before. Then,
Taylor Windell notched her second home run of the season over the left center wall. Down just one run and with one out,
Keely Bowling was hit by a pitch and
Sam McKee entered to run the bases in her stead. McKee was still on first when the second out was recorded. Hurst absolutely detonated on a ball earning herself and her team a walk-off victory.
Campbellsville threw just 79 pitches in comparison to the 105 by Tennessee Southern with similar strike percentages (.646 to .638 respectively). Windell was the only Lady Tiger with more than one hit while Hurst led the way with three RBIs.
The Lady Tigers will look to get revenge against the Blue Raiders after Lindsey Wilson bested them and sent them to the consolation bracket in Campbellsville's first appearance in the tournament. Their game begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday and Freed-Hardeman awaits the winner right after.
