10-run fourth inning propels Campbellsville past No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan; CU to play Olivet Nazarene in finals

Softball | Tue, May 18, 2021

Story by Campbellsville University Athletics

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A 10 run fourth inning that led to each Lady Tiger in the batting order scoring, propelled Campbellsville University softball to an upset victory over No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan, 11-3, in five innings. 

The Lady Tigers pull the second straight upset over the Wildcats as Olivet Nazarene (33-6) beat them 2-1 forcing the elimination game with Campbellsville. CU (41-12) will now play Olivet Nazarene in the championship series of the NAIA Opening Round at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 19. Indiana Wesleyan’s season ends with a 44-9 record.

Both starting pitchers worked out of jams in the first two innings as Katy Chadwell (21-4) had stellar defense behind her and the Lady Tigers took advantage of base running blunders by the Wildcats. Danielle Munn only lasted three innings in the circle but five walks forced coach Steve Babinsky to make a change in the fourth leading 3-1. 

The Lady Tigers struck first with a sac fly by Payton Blades in the third but IWU took its first lead with three two-out RBI singles in the home half of the inning to lead 3-1. Entering the fourth innings, Munn went out and McKenzie Ridge only lasted one-third of an inning. 

Ryleigh Oldham and Riley Hurst both picked up RBIs – Oldham doubled down the left field line to score Lexi Miller and Hurst singled to right scoring Oldham.

With CU leading, 4-3, Alyssa Wagner, the ace for IWU, entered the circle and flood gates opened big time. After tossing over 120 pitches earlier against Olivet Nazarene, the Lady Tigers teed-off on Wagner. Tori Humphrey picked up a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, Blades singled to center to drive in two runs, Madison Davis earned a bases loaded walk, Oldham drove in three more with her second double of the inning and Hurst scored another with a single up the middle.

After it was all said and done, the Lady Tigers scored 10 runs in the inning. Each Lady Tiger in the lineup scored at least one run while Oldham drove in four runs, while Hurst and Blades both delivered two RBI each. 

Chadwell worked around a leadoff hit in the fourth and a jam in the fifth to seal the run-rule victory in five innings. 

With the win, Campbellsville now has to beat Olivet Nazarene twice on Wednesday. Fans can tune into the CU Sports Network for coverage.