FAYETTE, Mo. - The Campbellsville University Lady Tigers' 2025 season ended on Tuesday in the NAIA Opening Round, as they fell 2-1 in a ten-inning thriller to the British Columbia Thunderbirds. The Lady Tigers finish the season with an overall record of 27-18.
Campbellsville struck first in the opening inning. Korey Harris led off with a single to third base, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Reynolds, and came around to score on an RBI single to center field by Riley Warner.
In the top of the second, Ashby Murt walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Caroline Pitcock, and then to third on a single by Madison Reed, but the Lady Tigers couldn't push the run across. Following British Columbia evening the score in the bottom of the third, Selynna Metcalfe doubled in the fourth inning, but was left stranded.
Campbellsville threatened again in the sixth inning when Warner singled to the pitcher, and Metcalfe singled to shortstop, advancing pinch runner Makayla Hogg to second. However, back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.
In the seventh, Camille Conkright singled to shortstop and advanced to second on a ground out by Harris, but was left on base. Warner singled to left center in the eighth, and Murt walked to put runners on first and second with two outs, but a fly out ended the inning.
The Lady Tigers' last significant scoring opportunity came in the top of the ninth. Reed singled to center field, and pinch runner Taylor Windell stole second. Reynolds reached on a fielder's choice, moving Windell to third, but a strikeout closed the inning.
In the tenth inning, Metcalfe hit a two-out double to center field and advanced to third on a fly out by Murt, but was left there as the next batter struck out. The game's decisive run in the tenth inning for the Thunderbirds came after a single and two walks. With two outs and the bases loaded, British Columbia sent their third-base runner home after a fielding error.
Ellie Coley pitched effectively for 8.1 innings in the circle, allowing only one earned run on ten hits while striking out two. Leah Holland came on in relief in the ninth inning. The defense turned in a solid performance with 29 putouts and nine assists.
Despite the loss, the Lady Tigers demonstrated grit and determination in their final game, pushing a strong British Columbia team to extra innings.
