CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Campbellsville Tigers used a big third inning at home to take full control of a midweek matchup and held the lead the rest of the way, defeating Union Commonwealth 9-6.
- Jaxson Grubbs led the Tigers offensively, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and steady defense at first base.
- Thomas Krueger delivered the biggest offensive impact, finishing 2-for-2 with two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk.
- Kleysen Gabruck was a major difference-maker in the big third inning, driving in two RBIs and helping fuel the Tigers' five-run breakout.
- Antony Gilbert added consistency with a 2-for-5 performance and a run scored, helping keep innings alive throughout the game.
- Brock Brubaker provided a key pinch-hit double that led to a run, giving Campbellsville an important boost off the bench.
- The Tigers will be back in action this weekend in a Mid-South Conference matchup, opening a series on the road against Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday.
Union created an early opportunity at the top of the first with a leadoff walk and a stolen base to move into scoring position, but the Tigers' defense held firm, recording two groundouts and a flyout to strand the runner and keep things scoreless.
The Tigers showed life in the bottom half when
Antony Gilbert singled and advanced to second on a throwing error, but Union escaped with a strikeout to end the inning.
After a quiet second inning from both sides, the Tigers broke through. Back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases before
Joaquin Hernandez brought in the game's first run on a fielder's choice, giving Campbellsville a 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs answered in the third inning without recording a hit. Multiple walks loaded the bases, and two consecutive RBI walks pushed them ahead 2-1.
In the bottom of the third frame, the Tigers erupted.
Brady Henke worked a leadoff walk, and consecutive singles from Gilbert and
Jaxson Grubbs loaded the bases.
Jason Franzel tied the game with an RBI walk, and
Thomas Krueger followed with another bases-loaded walk to give the Tigers the lead. Defensive struggles then opened the floodgates, as a throwing error allowed two more runs to score. Aggressive baserunning and another miscue added a fifth run in the frame, capping a five-run inning and giving Campbellsville a 6-2 advantage.
The Tigers kept their foot on the gas in the fourth. A double set the table before Krueger delivered an RBI single, and another run-scoring hit pushed the lead to 8-2.
Campbellsville added insurance in the fifth when Henke doubled, advanced on a wild pitch, and came around to score on an RBI single from Grubbs, extending the lead to 9-2.
Union made things interesting late. In the seventh, they capitalized on an error and strung together a double, a single, and a sacrifice fly to score three runs and cut the deficit to 9-5. They added another in the eighth, taking advantage of a walk, a wild pitch, and an error to make it 9-6.
In the ninth, Campbellsville shut the door with a flyout followed by back-to-back strikeouts, sealing the 9-6 victory.
