WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The Campbellsville Tigers hit the road to play the #7 University of the Cumberlands Patriots on Friday. Last season, the Tigers lost the series against the Patriots, though they won the final game. The Tigers fought in game one but wound up losing, 5-3.

​After the Tigers were sat down in order to begin the game, Garrett Maloney got the nod for the Tigers, making his 10th start of the season. From the get-go, the Patriots were on the attack. The inning's first batter led off with a double, and the next batter doubled to bring him home. Maloney retired the next batter with a groundout, and the next man walked. A wild pitch put runners at the corners, and then a three-run homerun put the Patriots up 4-0. Following the long ball, Maloney found his groove and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

​In the top of the second inning, the Tigers looked to cut into the lead. The first two batters were retired in order, bringing Tate Wischnack to the dish. Wischnack unloaded on a no-doubt bomb to left field for his first homer of the season. The lone run was all the Tigers managed in the inning.

​Maloney continued on the mound in the bottom of the second inning and retired the first man he faced. The next batter singled to left field, and then a ground ball to shortstop helped the Tigers collect the second out at second base. Maloney walked the next batter, but bared down and finished the inning with his third strikeout.

​The Tigers' offense couldn't get anything going in the top of the third inning, bringing Maloney back out for the bottom of the frame. The righty stayed in his groove and retired the side in order. 

The Tigers were sat down in order again in the top of the fourth inning, but Maloney maintained his rhythm in the bottom half. The righty picked up another clean inning and picked up his fourth strikeout.

As Maloney kept rolling, the Patriots' pitcher did the same. The Tigers continued to struggle on offense in the top of the fifth inning, so Maloney continued on the mound in the bottom of the frame. The Patriots threatened with a leadoff single, but Maloney retired the next man. Trent Buchanan was catching for the Tigers and caught the runner stealing, setting up Maloney to retire the final batter with a groundout.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Tigers added another run thanks to Henry Wright. Wright unloaded a towering homerun to right-center field for his eighth bomb of the season. After the next man was retired, Yosuke Fujie reached on a fly ball dropped by the center fielder. Fujie advanced to second on a groundout, and then Skansi singled to left field, but Fujie was thrown out at home trying to score.

Maloney returned for the bottom of the sixth inning with the lead cut in half. The Patriots threatened again with a leadoff single, but Maloney continued his scoreless-inning streak. The righty retired the next three batters and collected his fifth strikeout on the final out.

The Tigers were retired in order again in the top of the seventh inning, bringing Ryan McFarland to the mound to take over for Maloney. Making his 12th appearance of the season, McFarland retired the first batter of the inning. The Patriots responded with back-to-back singles, and the Tigers intentionally walked their best hitter to load the bases. McFarland bared down and struck out the next batter, and then a ground ball to shortstop gave the Tigers hope to escape the jam. Unfortunately, the play couldn't be made and the Patriots added another run. McFarland retired the next batter and limited the damage.

In the top of the eighth inning, Bret Bowers led off with a pinch-hit double off the left field wall and then advanced to third base on a passed ball. Wright followed up with a walk, and then Joaquin Hernandez laid down a bunt to the pitcher. Fortunately for the Tigers, the ball was thrown away, Wright advanced to third, and Bowers scored. The next two batters were retired, and both runners were stranded.

McFarland continued on the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning, needing to hang a big zero. The righty retired the side in order and picked up his second strikeout.

Down to their final three outs, the Tigers needed to make one final push in the top of the ninth inning. However, the Patriots brought in their closer, and they struck out the side to finish the game.

The Tigers lost the game with three runs on four hits and no errors, and the Patriots won with five runs on 10 hits and two errors.

The Tigers will finish the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 19th. The games are set to begin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. ET.