BOWLING GREEN, Ky. —Trailing by one run in the ninth inning the third-seeded Lions loaded the bases with one out. An on-line throw after a sacrifice fly attempt from the fifth-seeded Campbellsville University Tiger right fielder resulted in the runner being tagged out at home to end the game and the Lions' turn in the Mid-South Conference Tournament 5-4.
The Lions (31-20) fell behind early after Campbellsville loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning to set up a bases-clearing double to take an early lead. From there, the Lions held the Tigers scoreless while beginning to mount a comeback.
While Campbellsville (32-18) scored their three runs at once, the Lions scratched lone runs across in three consecutive innings with
Cade Fuller's RBI double in the fifth tying the elimination game 3-3. Campbellsville would smack an RBI triple to take a one run lead into the top of the ninth.
Dawson Massengale led off the inning with a single before
Austin Johnson traded places with him on a fielder's choice.
Brooks Jones and
Dalton Bonner then drew walks to load the bases and see the Tigers go to the bullpen.
Cade Fuller sent a pitch to right field where the fielder collected the out and threw home to beat the runner by a millisecond.
Cade Fuller and
Dawson Massengale each collected two base hits while
Cam Madding and
Brooks Jones joined Fuller with one RBI each.
Jackson Fitzwilson got the start where he struck out six in 4 2/3 innings before giving way to
Colton Bryant (2-2) who surrendered the final Tiger run.
Scoring Summary
Bottom 2
The Tigers took an early lead with a bases-loaded double to score three runs.
FHU 0, CVILLE 3
Top 3
A sacrifice fly from
Brooks Jones put the Lions on the board by driving in an unearned run.
FHU 1, CVILLE 3
Top 4
After
Jordan Carter led off the inning with a walk and stealing second, the sophomore was driven home by
Cam Madding's RBI single.
FHU 2, CVILLE 3
Top 5
Dalton Bonner tallied a two-out single before a stolen base put him in scoring position to be driven in with
Cade Fuller's RBI double to tie the game.
FHU 3, CVILLE 3
Bottom 7
With a runner on second the Tigers connected for an RBI triple to drive home what proved to be the winning run.
FHU 3, CVILLE 4
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Up Next
The Lions anxiously await the NAIA National Championship selection show on May 7 at 4:00 p.m. in hopes of an at-large bid.
