CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – On Monday, the Campbellsville University Tigers split their matchup with Talladega College, falling 8-0 in the first game, before bouncing back with a 2-0 victory behind a dominant pitching performance from
Tristin Crusenberry.
- Tristin Crusenberry dominated the mound in Game Two, carrying a no-hit bid through six innings and finishing with a complete-game 2-0 shutout while striking out eight batters, improving his record to 5-0 on the season.
- Joaquin Hernandez delivered the RBI single in Game Two that gave the Tigers the lead and helped spark the offense.
- Tate Wischnack consistently reached base, going 1-for-2 with a double in the fifth inning of Game Two to set up the Tigers' first run, and maintained a strong on-base rate across both games.
- Anthony Esposito contributed key hits and run production, going 1-for-2 with a double, scoring a run, and driving in another with a sacrifice fly in Game Two.
- Luke O'Brien helped move runners into scoring position with a double and a successful bunt, setting up both Tigers' runs.
- Thomas Krueger delivered a clutch sacrifice fly in Game Two to score Esposito, helping the Tigers extend their lead to 2-0.
- Next up for the Tigers is a midweek game against the Union Commonwealth Bulldogs on Tuesday, March 10.
GAME ONE:Talladega 8, Campbellsville 0
Talladega got on the board in the top of the first inning. Joshua Catala Santos reached base on an error and advanced to second on a groundout by Victor Rivera. After stealing third, Santos scored on an RBI groundout from Armando Jackson to give the Tornadoes a 1-0 lead.
Campbellsville responded with a scoring threat in the bottom half of the inning.
Antony Gilbert singled to left field, and
Nick Hagen followed with a single up the middle to put two runners on base. However,
Luke O'Brien lined out to left field to end the inning and strand both runners.
Talladega added another run in the third inning. Joshua Catala Santos singled up the middle and advanced into scoring position before Armando Jackson drove him home with an RBI single, extending the Tornadoes' lead to 2-0.
The Tigers struggled to generate offense through the middle innings as Talladega's pitching kept the lineup off balance. Campbellsville was held without a hit from the third through the sixth inning as the Tornadoes maintained their lead.
Talladega broke the game open in the sixth inning with a six-run rally. After a pair of walks and a stolen base put runners in scoring position, Diego Duque delivered a two-RBI double to left field to extend the lead. The Tornadoes continued to capitalize on walks, hit batters, and defensive miscues, pushing six runs across in the inning to stretch the advantage to 8-0.
Campbellsville attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh when
Luke O'Brien doubled down the left-field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, Talladega's defense held strong as the next two Tigers were retired to end the game.
GAME TWO: Campbellsville 2, Talladega 0
As the Tigers looked to regroup, they turned their focus toward the opportunity to bounce back in the second game.
Both teams started the game quietly in the opening inning as both sides went down in order. The pitching duel continued through the second inning with Campbellsville's starter Crusenberry setting the tone early, keeping Talladega's lineup off balance and off the scoreboard.
Campbellsville threatened in the third when
Joaquin Hernandez singled and advanced to third, but Talladega escaped the inning without allowing a run. The Tigers created another opportunity in the fourth after
Luke O'Brien doubled to left-center field and moved a runner to third, but the game remained scoreless.
The Tigers finally broke through in the fifth inning.
Tate Wischnack doubled down the left-field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch before
Joaquin Hernandez delivered an RBI single to give Campbellsville a 1-0 lead.
Tristin Crusenberry was dominating on the mound, carrying a no-hitter and keeping Talladega from doing any damage offensively. The Tigers added another run in the sixth inning when
Anthony Esposito doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from
Thomas Krueger, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Tornadoes managed to break up the no-hit bid later in the game, but Crusenberry and the Tigers' defense held firm, shutting down any potential rallies.
The Campbellsville pitching staff preserved the shutout as the Tigers secured the 2-0 victory, with Crusenberry improving to a perfect 5-0 on the season after his standout performance.
