Box Score KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Top-seeded Lindsey Wilson outhit No. 2-seed Campbellsville (Ky.) 10-4 to advance to the Mid-South Conference Tournament championship game with a 4-2 win on Monday at Dotmar Park.
It's the fourth straight year the Blue Raiders have eliminated the Tigers from the conference tournament, although the first three came in the championship game.
Up next for the Blue Raiders (46-8) is a matchup with No. 6-seed Cumberland (Tenn.) at Noon CT. on Tuesday. The Bulldogs are undefeated in Kingsport, forcing the Blue Raiders to need two wins for the tournament title.
Cara Law (10-2) pitched a gem for Lindsey Wilson, allowing three hits for two runs with three strikeouts in five innings. Jordan Hood picked up the save (5) after two shutout frames with three strikeouts as well.
Left fielder Antoinette Jenkins slapped on three times, scored two runs and stole a base, while first baseman Kristina Krupinski drove in two runs with a pair of doubles. Designated player Travatia Bowden drove in the other run with a single between third and second.
The way the game started, it looked as if it would be a high-scoring affair. Campbellsville (40-15) struck first with the help of some Lindsey Wilson errors. Shortstop Emma Napier got on with an error to leadoff, followed by second baseman Shelby Ray reaching on another error.
Napier moved up to third on the mistake and came home on a groundout by catcher Taylor Borders for the 1-0 lead.
Jenkins got her first hit in the bottom half, followed by right fielder Andrea Whelan reaching safely on a bunt that was hit well enough for Jenkins to reach third. Krupinski promptly followed with a double for the third straight hit to give Lindsey Wilson a 2-1 lead.
Both pitchers cruised in the next two innings until first baseman Heather Oakley led off the top of the fourth with a home run to left field to tie the game.
Not wasting time to respond, the Blue Raiders broke the tie in the fifth with two runs on a wild throw from the outfield to score Jenkins and Bowden's single to left field to bring home Krupsinski.
The 4-2 lead held up the rest of the way as a single by designated player Sara Paragon in the sixth inning was the last Tiger hit of the game.
The final inning featured a matchup between Hood, the MSC's Pitcher of the Year and Napier, the league's player of the year, who popped out to the catcher for the second out.
After walking Ray and allowing her to move up a base on a passed ball, Hood ended the game with a strikeout of right fielder Kristin Benton.
Campbellsville finished the game with just four hits from Napier, Oakley, Paragon and left fielder Adrean Jordan. Victoria Decker took the loss in the circle, scattering 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk in six innings.