LEBANON, Tenn. – Despite a steady effort at the plate, softball drops games two and three to Campbellsville in the series
Campbellsville opened the scoring early, plating three runs in the top of the first inning behind timely hits and some aggressive base running. An RBI single and a pair of unearned runs gave the visitors a 3-0 lead.
Cumberland struggled to get going offensively in the first two innings but started to find rhythm in the bottom of the third. After Anna Lay reached on a single and stole second, Hailey Donato drove in the Phoenix's first run with a single to left, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
The Phoenix pulled even in the fourth with a productive inning at the plate. Abby Chappell led off with a single and came around to score on a double from Karsyn France. A defensive miscue by Campbellsville helped bring in another run before Brylee Bartley's ground out plated Karley Daughrity, knotting the game at 4-4.
Campbellsville, however, quickly responded with a solo home run from Jaycie Daniels in the fifth and added two more runs on an RBI single and a fielder's choice. Cumberland continued to battle, trimming the lead to 7-5 in the bottom half of the frame after Hatfield and Chappell both singled, and Daughrity brought in a run with a base hit.
Cumberland's offense collected 11 hits on the day, with Chappell continuing her strong season by going 3-for-4 and scoring two times. Donato also chipped in with two hits and an RBI, while France added a double and a run driven in.
Unfortunately, Cumberland's defense couldn't hold off the Tigers in the final innings. Campbellsville added one in the sixth and three more in the seventh, including a solo shot from Metcalfe and a pair of RBI hits from Daniels and Pitcock, to put the game out of reach. The Tigers took the win 11-6.
In game two, Campbellsville wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. A pair of walks and timely singles set the table for Warner, who drove in the game's first run. A sacrifice fly by Murt and a two-RBI single from Metcalfe extended the early lead to 4-0.
Cumberland responded in the bottom of the first. After Ashley Evans reached on an infield single, Abby Chappell delivered a two-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 4-2 and bringing some momentum to the Phoenix dugout.
Campbellsville answered quickly with an eight-run outburst in the top of the second, capitalizing on a Cumberland error and several well-placed hits. Warner came through again with a two-RBI single, and Metcalfe added a two-run double, pushing the Tigers' lead to 12-2.
Despite the large deficit, Cumberland showed fight. In the second inning, Sara Brogdon singled and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Hailey Donato. The Phoenix tacked on two more in the third with help from a Campbellsville error and an RBI single from Anna Lay, trimming the score to 12-5.
Brogdon continued to be a bright spot for the Phoenix, going 2-for-3 at the plate and contributing to multiple scoring opportunities. Evans also had a solid day, collecting two hits and scoring a run from the lead off spot.
On the mound, Madison Croxford started for Cumberland but was relieved in the second by Annalee Moore, who helped limit the damage over the next few innings. Moore held Campbellsville to just one run over the final four innings, which came on a solo home run by Daniels in the fifth.
Cumberland's defense tightened up as the game progressed, including a heads-up play in the fourth when right fielder Hailey Donato threw out a runner at first after a lineout, turning a double play.
The Phoenix were unable to generate more offense in the later innings, as Campbellsville's bullpen held them scoreless after the third.
Cumberland had several solid performances at the plate despite the loss. Chappell led the offense with a home run and two RBIs, going 1-for-2. Brogdon had a strong outing, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Lay remained perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with an RBI, while Evans added a 2-for-4 day and scored a run.
The Phoenix will be back in action April 11th in Williamsburg, Ky. against University of the Cumberlands at 5:00 PM.
