CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Coming off a win, the Tigers hosted Lourdes University at home Wednesday afternoon. Campbellsville continued their winning streak with an 11-4 victory over the Gray Wolves.
Zion Payne started on the mound for Campbellsville. In the first inning, Payne collected a strikeout to begin the competition. Payne walked one batter but allowed no more as he fashioned two strikeouts to follow. The Tigers jumped out on the Gray Wolves during their time at the plate. Noah Amenta and Chad McCann both walked to put themselves on the bases. Jacob White secured a vital triple to collect a two-run RBI. Maul Zan worked the count to exchange his at-bat for a trot to first base. Kale Seitz laid down a bunt which allowed White to score. On a throwing error to first base, Zan ran across home plate. Seitz faltered in a run down between second and third base and became the third out.
The second inning had the same result for both teams. The Tigers and the Gray Wolves went to the plate and returned to the dugout in three batters. Lourdes knocked one run off the Tigers' lead in the bottom of the third inning. Jorge Gonzalez's throw to first solidified the initial out. Payne poised a backward K to collect out number two. However, the Gray Wolves rolled on two outs and put together a couple of hits to score a run.
As Lourdes entered the fifth inning, Payne continued his reign on the hill. As Payne tallied the second out, he tied his career-high in strikeouts. Payne finished his time pitching with eight strikeouts. In the latter half of the inning, Campbellsville racked up more runs. Amenta was planted on first base when McCann entered the box. McCann sent a pitch over the left-field wall to bat in two more runs.
Kobe Fredland entered the contest to relieve Payne. A strikeout took down Fredland's first foe, and two more outs followed. Grant McQueary was the sixth-inning lead-off for the Tigers. McQueary's bunt allowed him to reach first base. Moments later, McQueary stood on third base as Amenta reached first on a fielder's choice. McCann's single down the rightfield line sent McQueary home.
In the seventh inning, Campbellsville quickly suffered a two-out deficit. After being hit by a pitch, Alex Castaneda found himself on base. McQueary singled up the middle, which pushed Castaneda over to third base. James Teets singled between the third baseman and the shortstop to tally another RBI for the Tigers. Soon after, the bases loaded up with Tiger runners. McCann traded his walk for another run. The inning closed with Campbellsville leading by nine runs.
Lourdes tacked on another run after a solo home run in their time at the plate. Campbellsville retaliated when they had their chance. After two outs, Teets singled once more and amassed another RBI. In the Gray Wolves' final attempt to comeback, Lourdes scored one run but saw no further results.
Three Tigers finished batting 1.000 at the plate. McCann led the way for the Tigers, composing four RBIs in his two at-bats; Teets finished with two RBIs, and Castaneda with one run. Campbellsville's pitchers finished with ten strikeouts, compared to Lourdes' three strikeouts.
Campbellsville will compete in a series of contests this weekend, March 10th and 11th. The Tigers will host Wilberforce University starting at 3 p.m. ET.
