WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — The Campbellsville Lady Tigers opened their year with a doubleheader sweep Friday night at the Iceberg Invitational hosted by the University of the Cumberlands. They showcased their offensive firepower in a run-rule victory over Trinity Christian and then battled through a tense extra-inning game to edge the University of Northwestern Ohio, demonstrating both power hitting and clutch performances in a successful start to the season.
GAME ONE: Campbellsville 14, Trinity Christian 0
The game began as a pitcher's duel, with both teams going three-up, three-down in the first. While both Campbellsville and Trinity Christian managed hits in the second, neither could capitalize, keeping the game scoreless heading into the pivotal third inning.
Campbellsville's bats came alive in the top of the third. Emily Reynolds led off with a single, and a Trinity Christian error put runners at second and third. Jessie Daniels then delivered a crucial single, driving in the game's first run. With the bases loaded after another error, Selynna Metcalfe stepped up and blasted a grand slam, propelling Campbellsville to a 5-0 lead. Trinity Christian went down quietly in their half of the third.
In the fourth, Reynolds reached on an error, and Daniels followed with a double to left field. However, the Lady Tigers were unable to score. Trinity Christian also managed a hit in the fourth but remained scoreless.
The floodgates opened in the top of the fifth as Campbellsville unleashed an offensive onslaught. Taylor Windell started the inning with a double to right field, followed by Hannah Hackworth reaching on an error. Camille Conkright singled to load the bases, and Korey Harris drew a walk to force in a run. Two more runs scored shortly after. Then, Caroline Pitcock crushed a three-run homer. Metcalfe doubled, driving in two more runs, and Hackworth added an RBI single, capping off an eight-run inning and pushing the lead to 14-0.
The game was then called due to the run rule, securing a decisive victory for the Campbellsville Lady Tigers, 14-0.
GAME TWO: Campbellsville 2, Northwestern Ohio 1
Much like the day's earlier game, the first inning was a quick and quiet affair, with both teams going down three-up, three-down. The second and third innings saw both teams begin to find their footing offensively, with Campbellsville's Rylee Warner, Metcalfe, Harris, and Reynolds each collecting hits. UNOH also managed to string together some hits of their own. However, both pitching staffs and defenses rose to the occasion, preventing any runs from scoring.
The fourth inning continued the trend, with the Racers recording another hit, while Campbellsville was retired quickly. Neither team could break through, and the game remained a scoreless tie. The tension mounted as the game progressed through the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, with both pitchers maintaining their composure and keeping the offenses at bay.
Finally, in the top of the eighth inning, UNOH broke the stalemate. A well-hit double down the left field line allowed the Racers to score the first run of the game, giving them a 1-0 lead. Facing their first deficit of the game, the Lady Tigers responded in the bottom of the eighth. With a runner placed on second base per tie-breaker rules, Pitcock came through with a clutch hit, scoring the tying run and keeping Campbellsville's hopes alive.
The ninth inning brought even more drama. UNOH threatened in the top half, managing to get a runner on base. However, Campbellsville's defense stepped up, executing a crucial play to catch the runner stealing at home, preventing them from scoring. In the bottom of the ninth, with a runner placed on second, Annabelle Knoop singled sharply to third, advancing Windell. After an out, Harris reached on a fielder's choice, moving Windell to third. With two runners in scoring position, Reynolds stepped into the batter's box and delivered the decisive blow, a double to left field that brought Windell home and sealed the 2-1 victory for the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action on February 21st, traveling to Choctaw, Oklahoma, to face the #24 Baker University Wildcats at 1:15 p.m. ET and the Columbia College Cougars at 5:45 p.m. ET.
- In the first game, Metcalfe led with six RBIs and Daniels with three hits. Ellie Coley and Leah Holland worked together to strike out four Trolls. Campbellsville bested the Trolls in hits (10-3), at-bats (30-18), home runs (2-0), and RBI's (14-0).
- During the second game, Reynolds and Metcalfe each collected an RBI, and Harris led with three hits. Emma Markham struck out 12 Racers through the night.
- Campbellsville had not battled Trinity Christian since their two-game series in 2008; the Lady Tigers collected their second win against the Trolls tonight.
- Campbellsville's first encounter against Northwestern Ohio took place during the 2024 season; after tonight's game, the Lady Tigers now hold two consecutive wins against the Racers.
- Campbellsville's perfect play during this year's Iceberg Invitational is the Lady Tigers first emergence from an Invitational undefeated since the 2020 season.
