COLUMBIA, Ky. – The "Battle of Highway 55" comes to the dirt diamond this week when the Lindsey Wilson softball team hosts (RV) Campbellsville (Ky.) at Marilyn D. Sparks Park.

The Blue Raiders and the Tigers have met 10 previous times in the last two years, with Lindsey Wilson winning six of those match-ups and Campbellsville claiming the last three. Both sides are averaging over seven runs an outing during that span but only three times has a game been decided by two or fewer runs.

The Tigers opened the 2023-24 season with six wins in their first seven contests and are 6-7 since. Last weekend, Campbellsville hosted Cumberland (Tenn.) for its Mid-South Conference opener and took three out of four from the Phoenix, including two one-run victories.

Sophomore Caroline Pitcock hit 9-for-15 with two doubles and two home runs in the series. The infielder sits atop the Tigers' lineup for total hits, doubles, triples, and home runs. Fellow infielders Jessie Daniels and Keely Bowling rank second and third, respectively, for hits and are tied for the team lead in runs batted-in with 21 each.

Lindsey Wilson began its conference slate at (RV) Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) last Saturday and Sunday, winning two out of four. Senior Elizabeth Funk drove in four runs with her team-leading six hits, and Mid-South Conference Player of the Week Natalie Wandrie connected on three extra-base hits to help score five runs. Entering the weekend, Funk is rolling on a seven-game hitting streak, while another senior, Kendall Dailey, has successfully reached base in eight consecutive games.

In the circle, Campbellsville has revolved around senior Katy Chadwell and freshman Ellie Coley. The latter of the two is 4-2 on the year and has two saves, while Chadwell sits at 3-2 and actively ranks second in the league for total strikeouts behind Lindsey Wilson freshman Kayden Murray.

Murray collected two wins and recorded 23 strikeouts last weekend at Freed-Hardeman to move to 4-2 overall. Her 3.24 earned run average is eighth-best in the league, which is just ahead of Grace Adams – 3.35 – in ninth and just behind Chadwell – 3.23 – in seventh.

This year's edition of the "Battle of Highway 55" begins at 12 p.m. CST on Saturday, March 23, then continues at 12 p.m. CST on Sunday, March 24.

The Lindsey Wilson Sports Network will carry the live broadcast for all four games of the series.