HENDERSON, Tenn. – The Campbellsville Tigers dropped their conference doubleheader to the (RV) Freed-Hardeman Lions Saturday, falling 8-4 in game one before narrowly losing 11-10 in the second.
- Jason Franzel went 1-for-3 with 3 RBIs, including a home run in the first game, and delivered a clutch ninth-inning sacrifice fly in game two, helping cut the deficit to just one run.
- Thomas Krueger dominated game two with 4 hits, 3 runs, a home run, and 3 RBIs, leading the offense.
- Tate Wischnack fueled the Tigers' attack with 3 RBIs and smart baserunning, including a key stolen base.
- Brady Henke went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, sparking early scoring in game two.
- Antony Gilbert set the tone in game two with 2 hits and early offensive contributions.
- The Tigers totaled 13 hits and 10 RBIs in game two, showing a powerful lineup that kept the game close.
- The Tigers stay on the road to take on Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, on Tuesday, March 31st, with first pitch at 2:30 p.m. ET.
GAME ONE: Freed-Hardeman 8, Campbellsville 4
Freed-Hardeman struck first in a quiet opening stretch, breaking through in the second inning. After a leadoff single and a stolen base put pressure on the defense, an RBI single brought in the game's first run to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers answered in the third inning with a well-executed sequence.
Joaquin Hernandez led off with a double, and
Nick Hagen followed with a base hit to put runners on the corners.
Brady Henke then delivered with a sacrifice bunt that brought Hernandez home, tying the game at 1-1.
Freed-Hardeman regained the lead in the bottom half of the third, using a groundout RBI to edge back in front, 2-1.
The Lions continued to build momentum in the fourth inning. A pair of singles and a walk set the table before back-to-back RBI hits extended the lead to 4-1.
After a scoreless fifth inning from The Tigers, Freed-Hardeman added on again. A solo home run to lead off the inning sparked a two-run frame, taking advantage of an error and timely hitting to push the lead to 6-1.
The Tigers responded with their biggest inning in the sixth.
Brady Henke reached base and moved into scoring position before
Antony Gilbert singled to put runners on the corners.
Jason Franzel then delivered the big swing, launching a three-run home run to cut the deficit to 6-4 and bring Campbellsville back within striking distance.
However, Freed-Hardeman answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth. A sacrifice fly and an RBI single brought in two more runs, extending the lead to 8-4.
Campbellsville threatened in the seventh with a pair of baserunners, but the Lions' defense held firm, closing out the game with an 8-4 win.
GAME TWO: Freed-Hardeman 11, Campbellsville 10
In the second game of the doubleheader and to conclude the series, the Tigers came out ready to make a statement. Campbellsville struck early in the top of the first, putting together a four-run inning.
Antony Gilbert singled,
Thomas Krueger followed with a hit, and
Jaxson Grubbs drove in an RBI.
Tate Wischnack then cleared the bases with a double, giving the Tigers a quick 4-0 lead.
Freed-Hardeman answered immediately on their half of the first. Crushing a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The Lions continued to apply pressure with runners on base, keeping the game close.
Campbellsville kept the momentum in the second.
Brady Henke and
Antony Gilbert reached base to set up
Jason Franzel, who delivered an RBI single. Moments later,
Thomas Krueger blasted a three-run homer to extend the lead to 8-2, giving the Tigers what appeared to be a comfortable cushion.
Freed-Hardeman began chipping away in the bottom of the second and scored two runs to close the gap to 8-4.
In the fourth, Freed-Hardeman's Colin Milligan's two-run homer made it a two-run game at 8-6, keeping the Lions within striking distance.
Campbellsville was held scoreless over the next few innings, allowing the Lions to tie the game at 8-8 in the seventh, setting up a dramatic finish.
The Tigers briefly regained the lead at the top of the eighth on
Brady Henke's RBI double, making it 9-8. Freed-Hardeman answered immediately with a two-run homer and an RBI double to take an 11-9 lead.
Campbellsville mounted a late rally in the ninth inning.
Jason Franzel singled,
Thomas Krueger followed with a double, and
Jaxson Grubbs' sacrifice fly brought home
Anthony Esposito, narrowing the gap to 11-10. Even with a final-inning surge full of momentum and hope, the Tigers were unable to complete the comeback, and Freed-Hardeman held on defensively to secure the 11-10 win, closing out the series in a thrilling finale.
