NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The Campbellsville Tigers traveled to New Albany, Indiana, to take on the Grenadiers of Indiana University Southeast on Wednesday evening. The Tigers took down the Grenadiers in the mid-week match-up, 18-11.
Amayas Lamar reached base on an infield error and advanced to second to begin the ball game. Kale Seitz was given free bases after being hit by a pitch, followed by Henry Wright reaching via walk to load the bases. Campbellsville was unable to capitalize, leaving all the runners stranded. In the bottom half, the Grenadiers earned three hits and collected one run before the final out was recorded, taking an early 1-0 lead over the Tigers.
Trent Buchanan opened the second inning with a single to right field. Reid Sturn came in to pinch run for Buchanan. Jonah Bachiu was walked, advancing Sturn to scoring position at second. With a sacrifice bunt from Shoki Fukui, Sturn was sent across the plate to put the Tigers on the scoreboard. The Tigers moved into the bottom half with the game tied at 1-1. IU Southeast didn't let the game stay tied for long, sending three more runs across the plate.
Much like his first at-bat, Seitz reached after being hit by a pitch. Wright sent a pitch up the middle and advanced Seitz to third. Yosuke Fujie followed with a single of his own, advancing Wright to third and Seitz to score. The success of the Tigers continued with Bachiu singling to right field, scoring Wright and Fujie. When the final out of the top half was recorded, the Tigers re-tied the game at 4-4. In the bottom half, the pitching staff struggled, sending three base runners to first after being hit by a pitch. The Grenadiers took a five-run lead over the Tigers to move into the fourth inning.
Lamar singled to left field in the top of the fourth but was caught in a double play. The bottom half looked like the top, retiring the inning quickly.
Chad McCann opened the fifth inning of play with a single up the middle. Again, Seitz was hit by a pitch to reach base. Wright singled to right center, moving Seitz to third and scoring McCann. A sacrifice fly from Buchanan sent Wright to third and Seitz across the plate. Bachiu singled up the middle, scoring Wright. Mael Zan homered down the left field line with the bases loaded, scoring all three Tigers and himself. McCann reached via walk, followed by Seitz with a single to right field. The Tigers took an 11-9 lead over the Grenadiers to head into the bottom of the fifth.
The Tigers' success didn't stop in the fifth and continued into the sixth inning. With Wright on base after a walk, Fujie singled to the right side and moved Wright to third base. An infield error helped Buchanan reach base, move Fujie to third, and score Wright. Bachiu followed with a single to center field, scoring Sturn and Fujie. Fukui singled to left center, and after a pitching change, Lamar doubled down the right field line to score Bachiu. Zan and Seitz reached via walk, scoring Fukui. Wright sent a pitch down the right field line, scoring Lamar. With the help of Fujie and a sacrifice fly, Zan was sent across the plate as the final Tiger to score. The Tigers led over the Grenadiers 18-9 to move into the bottom half. IU Southeast answered with two runs added to their side of the scoreboard.
The remainder of the ball game was scoreless. The Tigers took down the Grenadiers 18-11.
Campbellsville had five pitchers on the mound: Ian Roemer, Logan MacNiel, Joe McBride, Mason Lee, and Aaron Hammer. Roemer and MacNeil had three strikeouts each, respectively. Lamar, Wright, and Bachiu led the way with three hits each.
The Tigers will be back in action on Tuesday, March 19th, to take on the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Kentucky. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. ET.
