BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After a first-game loss in the tournament, the Tigers looked to stay alive in the elimination side of the bracket. In the win-or-go-home situation, Campbellsville battled Lindsey Wilson in a rain-delay-riddled game, winning to advance to the next.
Garrett Maloney started on the mound for the Tigers. Campbellsville quickly retired the inning with Maloney earning his 64th strike out of the season and a double play to move to the bottom half. A quick three up, three down half inning put the Tigers away.
An hour-long rain delay didn't slow Maloney down, gaining all three outs with strikeouts in the top of the second inning. Kale Seitz reached on an infield error in the Tigers' share of the inning, advancing to second with the help of Trent Buchanan. Mael Zan sent a pitch to the right field fence to earn a double, advancing to third and scoring Seitz.
Another rain delay was put on the game, lasting for several hours.
The Tigers put the Blue Raiders away in three up, three down fashion to move into the bottom of the third inning. Amayas Lamar singled up the middle, advancing to second with the help of Jorge Gonzalez, but couldn't find his way around the bases.
Lindsey Wilson earned their first hit of the game after two more Maloney strikeouts in the fourth inning. The final out was recorded with another strikeout for Maloney, collecting all three outs of the half inning. The Tigers' share was retired quickly.
The Blue Raiders managed to send their first run around the bases, tying the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning. Henry Wright reached base after being hit by a pitch, followed by Jonah Bachiu reaching via walk. Lamar loaded the bases after a single to shortstop with just one out. Campbellsville couldn't capitalize with runners on base, stranding all three.
Ryan McFarland opened the sixth inning on the mound for the Tigers, coming to relieve Maloney. With two outs, Lindsey Wilson sent the go-ahead run across the plate, plus one more before the final out was recorded. The Tigers trailed the Blue Raiders 3-1 to move into their share of the inning.
Yosuke Fujie reached base with a lead-off single through the right side to begin the bottom of the seventh. Bret Bowers singled to left field after being brought in the pinch hit. With two runners on base, Lamar sent a pitch over the left field fence for a three-run homerun and the lead over the Blue Raiders.
Seitz was hit by a pitch to reach base in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Shoki Fukui came in to pinch run. Fukui advanced into scoring position at second with a sacrifice bunt from Buchanan and to third on a wild pitch. Zan reached via walk, followed by a sacrifice fly from River Terry, scoring Fukui and advancing Zan to second. Wright hit a two-run homerun over the left field fence, giving the Tigers a 7-3 lead over the Blue Raiders.
Mason Lee came to the mound to start the game's final inning. The Tigers quickly collect all three outs, winning the game and staying alive in the elimination side of the bracket.
Despite winning, the Blue Raiders led in many statistical categories. Campbellsville led in homeruns (2-0), RBIs (7-3), OPS (.781-.563), and runs (7-3). Lamar led with three hits and three RBIs, followed by Zan, Fujie, Wright, and Bowers, each having one hit.
The Tigers will move to the next elimination game initially scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, May 4th. Due to weather, stay tuned for an updated schedule and time for their next game.
