By Dustin Semore
FHU Information Director
The Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions scored runs in six of the eight played innings in the first game, winning 9-8 in eight innings.
With that win, head softball coach Todd Humphry picked up his 600th career victory to continue his rise up the NAIA all-time victory leaderboard.
After the celebrations, the Lady Lions were topped by the (RV) Campbellsville University Tigers 3-0 in game two.
Game One
FHU – 9 CU – 8
It was a fast start for the Lady Lions (19-10, 8-3 MSC) with Karli Quillin leading off the day with a double through the left side, followed by a single from Alivia Eggleston. Both runners would score with Brooklyn Jimmerson’s two-run double to right-center before Jimmerson herself would score on Brinley Cousar’s two-out double.
Campbellsville (20-10, 9-4 MSC) answered in turn with a three-run home run in their half of the first to knot the game 3-3. FHU struck again in the top of the second with Quillin and Natalie Gilmore getting back-to-back singles before Eggleston’s second hit of the day drove Quillin home.
The long ball struck again in the bottom of the second when another three-run blast capped off a four-run second inning to give Campbellsville a 7-4 lead.
The Lady Lions put runners on first and second when CU hoped to exit the top of the fourth with a double play; however, an errant throw allowed Gilmore to move from third to home and cut into the Tiger lead 7-5.
Campbellsville’s third home run of the game came with a solo blast in the bottom of the fourth. Undeterred, the Lady Lions had four hits in the top of the sixth with Cousar’s RBI single being followed by a bases-loaded walk from Myleah Hardy to pull the Lady Lions within one run.
The Lady Lions loaded up the bases in the top of the seventh when a misplay helped FHU when a wild throw allowed the tying run to score; however, the Tigers recovered in time to throw the goahead run out at the plate and force extra innings.
Two more errors in the top of the top of the eighth allowed the Lady Lions to take the lead that would give them the victory. Cousar led off the inning reaching second after a wild throw. A second wild throw with one out allowed Cousar to tap home to give FHU the 8-7 victory.
Kylee Brown (7-3) continued her great debut season, tossing eight innings where she struck out two Tigers.
Karli Quillin was a tough out, collecting five hits in the leadoff spot including a double. Alivia Eggleston and Natalie Gilmore both notched four base hits, while Brinley Cousar had three of FHU’s 19 hits. Brooklyn Jimmerson was the top run-producer by driving in four runs, while Cousar drove home two.
Game Two
FHU – 0 CU – 3
After both teams teed off in the first game, both the Lady Lions (19-11, 6-4 MSC) and the Tigers collected six hits in the second game of the day.
The Tigers (21-10, 10-4 MSC) plated lone runs in the first three innings, but the low scoring was enough to get the win.
Though tallying six base hits, the Lady Lions left nine runners on base in the defeat.
Chloe Winters (5-4) had the loss where she struck out three while walking as many.
Natalie Gilmore powered FHU’s offense, going 2-3 from the plate in game two.
