GRAYSON, Ky.- The Tigers took the road to battle the Kentucky Christian University Knights on Tuesday morning. Campbellsville left Kentucky Christian trailing with two grand slams, taking the victory, 20-9.
Lorenzo Gonzalez made the Tigers first on the scoreboard with a single to shortstop, bringing Amayas Lamar across the plate during the top of the first. The Knights were put away in three up, three down fashion during their share of the inning.
Jonah Bachiu opened the second inning, scoring another run for Campbellsville on a double to center field by Henry Wright. Shortly after, Trent Buchanan reached first base on an error by shortstop, resulting in another run for the Tigers as Wright reached home. Kentucky Christian reached a couple of bases via walk and fielder's choice, unable to reach the dish before the end of the inning.
In the opening seconds of the third inning, Mael Zan doubled to right center. Zan quickly crossed the plate as Gonzalez followed with a single to left center. The Knights decreased their deficit with two back-to-back runs during the bottom of the second.
Campbellsville did not falter at the sight of push-back, Wright struck back with the first home run of the game during the top of the fourth. Although Kentucky Christian collected a hit during their portion of the inning, they were unable to score.
River Terry, Bret Bowers, and Yosuke Fujie collected hits for the Tigers, loading Campbellsville's bases. Wright flew out to left field, allowing Terry to score another run for the Tigers. The Knights' share of the fifth inning was highlighted by a three-run home run, decreasing the gap on the scoreboard to only one run between the teams.
Buchanan began the sixth inning with a single to left field. Not long after, Chad McCann scored a home run to left field, bringing himself and Buchanan across the plate to expand Campbellsville's advantage. The Tigers' momentum only escalated as Bowers scored a four-run home run, putting Campbellsville with double digits on the scoreboard. The Knights were put away in three up, three down style to close the sixth.
Buchanan and McCann singled to left field in the opening of the seventh inning. Zan flew out to right field, opening the opportunity for Buchanan to cross the dish. Much like the sixth, Bowers scored a four-run home run, expanding the Tigers' lead with a 12-run advantage over Kentucky Christian. In the opening of the bottom of the seventh, two Knight batters reached base via walk, but neither managed to reach home before the end of the inning was recorded.
Campbellsville was swiftly put away in three up, three down fashion during the top of the eighth. Much like the seventh, a handful of Kentucky Christian batters reached base via walk, loading their bases and resulting in three runs for the Knights.
Bowers scored his third home run of the day, adding two more runs to the Tigers' end of the scoreboard, bringing Terry across the dish. James Teets followed, doubling to left field and resulting in Yosuke Fujie scoring another run for Campbellsville. During the bottom of the final inning, Kentucky Christian reached base on a fielder's choice and scored the final run of the game.
At the end of the game, Bowers led the Tigers with 10 RBIs. Additionally, McCann and Bowers each collected four hits. Ian Roemer, Cameron Hood, and Maddux Mateychuk worked together, striking out four Knight batters throughout the game. Campbellsville surpassed Kentucky Christian in multiple statistical categories: at-bats (45-29), doubles (5-0), homeruns (5-1), RBIs (20-8), OPS (1.336-.694), and assists (15-7).
The Tigers will be back in action, taking the road to Georgetown, Kentucky, to battle the Georgetown College Tigers on Friday, April 12th, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
