CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville opened its weekend series against the Cumberland Phoenix on Friday afternoon, falling 10-4 after Cumberland used a late offensive surge to pull away in the series opener.
- Kleysen Gabruck delivered the biggest impact at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a double.
- Jason Franzel added an RBI hit and helped generate early offense for Campbellsville.
- Tate Wischnack and Joaquin Hernandez each contributed base hits and helped keep runners moving throughout the lineup.
- The Tigers will look to bounce back as they continue their series at home against Cumberland on Saturday with a doubleheader at HIG Baseball Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET.
Cumberland threatened in the opening frame, picking up a two-out single, but Campbellsville's defense shut it down by catching the runner stealing to end the inning.
The Tigers answered in the bottom of the first when
Antony Gilbert ripped a double down the left field line to put a runner in scoring position. However, Cumberland worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a pair of outs to keep the game scoreless.
In the second inning, Campbellsville jumped on the scoreboard. A double from
Kleysen Gabruck ignited the rally, and smart baserunning, along with a passed ball, opened the door for the first run.
Tate Wischnack added an RBI single through the right side as the Tigers built a 2-0 advantage.
Cumberland chipped away and then surged ahead in the fourth inning. Taking advantage of walks, timely hits, and a sacrifice fly, they pushed across three runs to flip the score and take a 3-2 lead.
The Tigers responded in the bottom half.
Joaquin Hernandez worked his way on, and
Brady Henke came through with an RBI single to right field, tying the game at 3-3 and keeping Campbellsville within reach.
Both teams traded chances over the next few innings, but pitching and defense held firm. Campbellsville put runners on in the fifth and sixth, including a single from
Thomas Krueger and
Nick Hagen, but couldn't capitalize.
A two-run homer down the left field line gave Cumberland the lead in the seventh, and they followed it up with three runs in the eighth to extend it.
Gabruck provided a spark for the Tigers in the bottom of the eighth, launching a solo home run to right field to make it 8-4, but it wasn't enough for the Tigers to shift the momentum.
Cumberland added two more runs in the ninth, using walks and a hit-by-pitch to widen the gap.
In the final frame, Campbellsville was unable to rally, as Cumberland closed out the game with three quick outs to secure the 10-4 victory.
