CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Campbellsville Tigers wrapped up their Mid-South Conference home series against the Bethel Wildcats with a dramatic doubleheader split, dropping the opener 14-6, but storming back to claim a 7-2 win in the concluder.
- The Tigers split the doubleheader, dropping game one 14-6 before bouncing back with a 7-2 win in game two.
- Nick Hagen's two-run home run highlighted the Tigers' offense in game one and sparked a mid-game rally.
- Anthony Esposito went 2-for-9 across the doubleheader, scoring 2 runs and contributing key hits in both games.
- In game two, Antony Gilbert set the tone early with a two-run home run in the first inning.
- Trey Proctor delivered a key two-RBI double in the second inning of game two to extend the Tigers' lead.
- Jason Franzel added a sacrifice fly RBI in game two, contributing to the Tigers' four-run second inning.
- Tate Wischnack created scoring opportunities in game two with a hit and aggressive baserunning, including a stolen base that led to a run.
- Tristin Crusenberry set the tone on the mound, tossing three scoreless innings in game two to keep Bethel off the board early.
- The Tigers' pitching staff held Bethel to just two runs in game two, securing the bounce-back win.
- Campbellsville will be back in action Tuesday, March 24th at 3 p.m. ET for a midweek game against the Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers.
GAME ONE: Bethel 14, Campbellsville 6
Bethel came out aggressive in the opening inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues and patience at the plate. After reaching on an error to start the game, the Wildcats strung together multiple hits and walks to plate five runs, quickly taking a 5-0 lead.
Campbellsville answered in the second inning.
Tate Wischnack reached base and moved into scoring position before
Nick Hagen launched a two-run home run to right field, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Bethel extended its lead in the third inning, using a combination of timely hitting to add three more runs and push the advantage to 8-2.
The Tigers responded with their strongest inning in the bottom half of the third. Back-to-back singles from
Jason Franzel and
Trey Proctor set the table before Wischnack drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Aggressive baserunning led to another run, and
Joaquin Hernandez delivered an RBI single to bring Campbellsville within 8-5. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed another run to score, trimming the deficit to 8-6.
However, Bethel answered again in the fourth inning with a two-RBI triple to extend the lead to 10-6.
After both teams were held scoreless in the fifth, Bethel broke the game open in the sixth inning. Taking advantage of key hits and an error, the Wildcats plated four runs to stretch the lead to 14-6.
The Tigers threatened in the sixth with a pair of singles but were unable to capitalize, as Bethel secured the win.
GAME TWO: Campbellsville 7, Bethel 2
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Tigers came out determined to respond and split the day.
Tristin Crusenberry got the start and immediately set the tone, retiring the side in order in the first and keeping Bethel off balance through the early innings with multiple strikeouts and no runs allowed.
The Tigers backed him up right away in the bottom of the first.
Anthony Esposito led things off with a double, and
Antony Gilbert followed with a two-run home run down the left field line to give Campbellsville a quick 2-0 lead.
Crusenberry continued to deal in the second, working around a walk and erasing a baserunner with a caught stealing to keep Bethel scoreless.
In the bottom of the second, the Tigers extended their lead.
Joaquin Hernandez singled and moved into scoring position before coming home on an RBI fielder's choice from Esposito. After Gilbert added another base hit and stole second,
Jason Franzel lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in a run. Moments later,
Trey Proctor delivered a two-RBI double to center field, stretching the lead to 6-0.
Crusenberry stayed in control in the third, tossing another scoreless frame to keep Bethel hitless through three innings.
Campbellsville added one more in the bottom half of the third.
Tate Wischnack singled, stole second, and advanced before Esposito picked up his second RBI of the game on another fielder's choice, making it 7-0.
Bethel finally broke through in the fifth inning with a solo home run, trimming the lead to 7-1.
The Wildcats added another run in the seventh on an RBI double to make it 7- 2. Out of the bullpen,
Ethan Wood shut the door, pitching a scoreless inning with multiple strikeouts to help secure the win and limit Bethel to just two runs over nine innings.
