BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The stage is set for the postseason, and the Campbellsville University Tigers are heading to Bowling Green Ballpark. Entering the 2026 Mid-South Conference Baseball Tournament as the #5 seed, the Tigers will open double-elimination play against the #2-seeded Freed-Hardeman University Lions on Wednesday, April 29, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The Tigers head into the postseason with a 25-21 overall mark (6-12 MSC), showing stretches of brilliant baseball throughout the spring. While the conference slate proved challenging, Campbellsville's lineup has remained dangerous top-to-bottom.
The offense has been paced by third baseman
Antony Gilbert, who authored a stellar regular season with a .378 batting average, and center fielder
Tate Wischnack, who hit at a .343 clip. Shortstop
Brady Henke has also been a steady presence in the middle of the order, setting the table and driving in runs when it matters most. On the mound, the starting rotation will look to rely on the reliable arms of
Tristin Crusenberry (7-3),
Joe McBride, and
Brody Forno to navigate the tournament format.
Wednesday's match-up presents a prime opportunity for redemption. Freed-Hardeman (32-15, 10-7 MSC) swept the Tigers in Henderson, Tennessee, in late March, but the box scores tell a story of a Campbellsville team that is more than capable of matching the Lions blow-for-blow.
After dropping the first two games of that series, the Tigers' bats caught fire in the finale. Campbellsville hung four runs on the board in both the first and second innings, building an early 8-4 advantage. While Freed-Hardeman managed to piece together a late rally to narrowly win the slugfest 11-10, the Tigers proved they could jump on the Lions' pitching staff. Henke recorded three hits in that contest, while Gilbert collected a pair of hits and scored twice. If the Tigers can replicate that early offensive surge and string together zeroes out of the bullpen, an opening-round upset is well within reach.
The Mid-South Conference Tournament kicks off Tuesday with a single-elimination play-in game between #6-seed Bethel (11-28) and #7-seed Georgetown (18-32). The winner of that contest will face top-seeded Cumberlands (41-7, 16-2 MSC) on Wednesday morning. Following the Tigers' matchup with Freed-Hardeman, #3-seed Cumberland (23-25) will square off against #4-seed Lindsey Wilson (19-27) in Wednesday's nightcap.
The double-elimination format continues through Thursday and Friday, culminating in the championship game on Saturday, May 2. The team that hoists the trophy will secure the conference's highly coveted automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
