BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Lady Tigers prepared to take on the first-seeded Cumberlands Patriots for the second, and potentially third, time within the Mid-South Conference Championship Tournament Sunday. The teams went into extra innings tied 1-1 and was called there due to continued weather delays. As per MSC policy, Cumberlands was deemed champions, having not lost in the tournament.
The Lady Tigers began play three up, three down. The Patriots' lead-off single went around and scored before the Lady Tigers could collect enough outs. They had two down with said runner on third, but another single sent the Patriot home. Campbellsville caught the second hitter stealing and brought their offense to the plate.
In the top of the second frame, the Lady Tigers put up four batters, mustering only a walk. In response though, they paid their early three up, three down by forcing one themselves. Sustaining that defensive effort, the entire third frame would see a total of six batters. Although that trend continued for Campbellsville into the fourth, Cumberlands got two runners on from an error then a walk, respectively. They both were left on base when
Katy Chadwell forced the last batter to strike out swinging.
The fifth inning saw
Madison Davis smack a single for the Lady Tigers' first hit of the contest. Camile Conkright ran for her as
Taylor Windell laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Conkright to third.
Kaeleigh Tuck then singled to left center to get runners on the corners, but nothing would come of it as the Patriots recorded two back-to-back outs. In the Patriots' turns with bats, they notched their third hit of the day but it wouldn't result in anything of consequence.
The Lady Tigers had Pitcock walked shortly into the sixth inning and, right after,
Payton Blades hit a double to send her home for their first run. Cumberlands then readjusted, bringing in a new pitcher. However, the contest was then hit with a weather delay. After a few hours, both teams reemerged to decide a champion.
The game continued and both defenses were locked in. To advance the game into the seventh, five outs were recorded within six batters between the teams. With two outs in the top of the closing frame,
Ashby Murt connected through the middle with her single but the Patriots then ended the Lady Tigers' at-bat with a ground out to follow. Campbellsville remained resolute though, only allowing a single and forcing extra innings.
At that point, the contest could no longer continue yet again due to thunderstorms. When it rained more the following day, the MSC Softball Championship was ruled a tie and canceled due to sustained inclement weather. Per conference rules, Cumberlands was deemed tournament champions as they were the last undefeated team remaining.
Having earned an automatic qualifier to the NAIA National Tournament, Campbellsville now awaits news of their host site. Those will be announced Tuesday, May 9
th. The field will consist of 33 automatic qualifiers – given to conference regular-season champions, tournament champions or tournament runners-up – and seven at-large teams. Conferences with ten-or-more members will receive two automatic qualifiers, while leagues with less than ten get one.
