NAIA WORLD SERIES BRACKET
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NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY WORLD SERIES HISTORY Year
Location
Champion
1981
Conrue, Texas
Sam Houston State (Texas) 32-11
1-0
Emporia State (Kan.)
1982
Kearney, Neb.
Missouri Western
29-14
5-0
St. Francis (Ill.)
1983
Kearney, Neb.
Emporia State (Kan.)
27-8
9-2
Kearney State (Neb.)
1984
Indianapolis, Ind.
1
32-5
1-0
Quincy (Ill.)
1985
Indianapolis, Ind.
Quincy (Ill.)
n/a
1-0
Washburn (Kan.)
1986
San Antonio, Texas
St. Mary’s (Texas)
n/a
2-1 (9)
Oklahoma City
1987
Kearney, Neb.
Kearney State (Neb.)
42-15
1-0
Francis Marion (S.C.)
1988
Oklahoma City, Okla. Pacific Lutheran (Wash.)
n/a
2-0 (10)
Minnesota-Duluth
1989
Midland, Mich.
Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) 38-12-2
3-0
Kearney State (Neb.)
1990
Pensacola, Fla.
Kearney State (Neb.)
39-9
6-3 (8)
Pacific Lutheran (Mich.)
1991
Columbia, Mo.
Hawaii Loa
37-6
5-1
Puget South (Wash.)
1992
Pensacola, Fla.
5
Pacific Lutheran (Wash.)
34-13
3-2
Kennesaw State (Ga.)
1993
Columbia, Mo.
4
West Florida
60-20
4-2
Oklahoma City
1994
Columbia, Mo.
2
Oklahoma City
52-8
3-1
Athens State (Ala.)
1995
Columbia, Mo.
1
Oklahoma City
49-9
3-1
Puget Sound (Wash.)
1996
Decatur, Ala.
1
Oklahoma City
59-5
9-1
Shawnee State (Ohio)
1997
Decatur, Ala.
2
Oklahoma City
52-12
12-0
Athens State (Ala.)
1998
Tulsa, Okla.
Western Washington
n/a
5-1
Simon Fraser (B.C.)
1999
Jupiter, Fla.
1
Simon Frasier (B.C.)
40-7
7-3
Oklahoma City
2000
Decatur, Ala.
2
Oklahoma City
63-12
5-1
Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
2001
Decatur, Ala.
1
Oklahoma City
56-12
5-3
Simon Fraser (B.C.)
2002
Decatur, Ala.
1
Oklahoma City
57-10
2-1 (8)
Point Loma Naz. (Calif.)
2003
Decatur, Ala.
2
Simon Fraser (B.C)
37-4
3-1
Mobile (Ala.)
2004
Decatur, Ala.
1
Thomas (Ga.)
37-3
5-4
Simon Fraser (B.C.)
2005
Decatur, Ala.
5
Simon Fraser (B.C.)
38-8
7-0
California Baptist
2006
Decatur, Ala.
1
Mobile (Ala.)
51-2
4-1
California Baptist
2007
Decatur, Ala.
2
Oklahoma City
53-6
7-2
Point Loma Naz. (Calif.)
2008
Decatur, Ala.
9
Lubbuck Christian (Texas) 60-10
2-1
Mobile (Ala.)
2009
Decatur, Ala.
1
California Baptist
61-5
3-2
St. Gregory’s (Okla.)
2010
Decatur, Ala.
14
Simon Fraser (B.C.)
28-14
4-3
Oklahoma City
2011
Gulf Shores, Ala.
18
Oregon Tech
42-13
1-0
California Baptist
2012
Gulf Shores, Ala.
10
Shorter (Ga.)
53-11
1-0 (9)
Oklahoma City
2013
Columbus, Ga.
1
Concordia (Calif.)
52-3
8-3
Spring Hill (Ala.)
2014
Columbus, Gla.
3
Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.) 44-7
10-6
William Carey (Miss.)
2015
Sioux City, Iowa
Emporia State (Kan.)
Record Score Runner-Up
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CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY Find your Calling ...
Campbellsville University was founded in 1906 by the Russell Creek Baptist Association as Russell Creek Academy in Campbellsville, Ky. In 1924 the institution became known as Campbellsville Junior College. It made the transition to a four-year college in 1960 and reached university status in 1996, changing the name once again to become Campbellsville University. Now in her 108th year of service, Campbellsville continues to see unprecedented growth in terms of enrollment, construction of new facilities, renovation of existing facilities and producing successful graduates. Nestled between the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains, Taylor County and Campbellsville, Ky., serve as home to Campbellsville University. Taylor County, population 25,000, is located in the geographical center of Kentucky, only 85-90 miles away from Bowling Green, Lexington and Louisville. The university family gives back to the community through service and time but also provides a more than $101 million economic impact to the area. CU is ranked 69th on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of top regional universities in the South. It is also listed among America’s Best Christian Colleges, rated as a Military Friendly School and has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. With a student body comprising more than 3,600 students from 97 Kentucky counties, 30 U.S. states and 37 foreign countries, Campbellsville University has a diverse cultural mix on her campus. The university is also noted for a strong faculty with over 70 percent of its professors holding a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field of study and a low student/faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Campbellsville offers certificates of study along with 63 undergraduate options, as well as 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional areas. The 101-acre university campus features a total of 45 buildings. In the past 18 years there have been more than 26 major renovations or new construction projects. The university also features satellite centers in Louisville and Somerset as well as developing a strong online presence. CU holds dual athletic membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) and is a member of the Mid-South Conference. In addition to these organizations, CU sports teams also compete in the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association, United States Bowling Congress and National Cheer Association. With more than 700 student-athletes, CU fields 26 teams in 16 sports, and Campbellsville’s student-athletes and coaches are consistently being recognized for their success in the MSC and on the national level.
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MORE THAN A GAME
COACHES TO COSTA RICA
Thirty-two Campbellsville University coaches, athletic staff, student-athletes and supporters spent a week in Costa Rica, July 18-24, 2014, on CU’s first athletic department-wide mission trip. Softball coaches Shannon Wathen and Bryce White were among those on the trip. The seven-day mission included sports clinics, visiting orphanages and women’s shelters and feeding the homeless.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER FIVE STAR INSTITUTION
Throughout the year, Campbellsville University Atheltics looks to give back to Campbellsville and Taylor County with various community service activities. Starting in 2013, CU joined the annual September cleanup of Green River Lake. CU also started the annual Tiger Fall Festival in 2013 that brings children and families from the community on campus to play games with a Halloween costume theme.
Campbellsville University is an NAIA Five Star Champion of Character Institution and instills the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership in its daily activities. Lady Tiger softball joined University of South Carolina Beaufort at the NAIA Opening Round to write letters of love and encouragement to our armed forces in an effort with #OperationGratitude.
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MEDIA COVERAGE INSIDE CU SPORTS
Every week, Campbellsville University head coach Shannon Wathen sits down with Jordan Alves for the “Inside CU Sports” recapping the latest games and looking forward to the coming week. “Inside CU Sports” airs Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. ET on 88.7 The Tiger in Campbellsville.
CAMPBELLSVILLE SPORTS NETWORK
Each Lady Tiger softball game at the NAIA World Series can be listened to on the Campbellsville University Sports Network, WLCU 88.7 The Tiger. Also live radio can also be heard on Comcast Channel 22 in Campbellsville and can be found on CU’s Stretch Internet portal. www.WLCUFM.com - 88.7 The Tiger www.portal.stretchinternet.com/camp
SOCIAL MEDIA Campbellsville University offers multiple Social Media platflorms to stay connected to Tiger athletics. Campbellsville Tigers
@CvilleTigers
@CvilleTigers | @CvilleLTS #CountOnMe #PowerOfOne Campbellsville Tigers
ON THE WEB
CampbellsvilleTigers.com
Campbellsville.edu
WLCUFM.com
MEDIA OUTLETS TELEVISION FOX 41 - Louisville...................(502) 585-0811 FOX 56 - Lexington..................(859) 268-1234 LEX 18 - Lexington..................(859) 259-1818 WAVE 3 - Louisville.................(502) 561-4150 WHAS 11 - Louisville.............(502) 582-7220 WKYT - Lexington..................(859) 299-0411 WLCU - Campbellsville............(270) 789-5210 WLKY - Louisville.....................(502) 893-7300 WTVQ 36 - Lexington..............(859) 299-3636
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PRINT Central Ky. News-Journal ........(270) 465-8111 Lexington Herald-Leader..........(800) 274-7355 The Courier-Journal ................(502) 582-4011 WEB ColumbiaMagazine.com............................... NAIA.org.......................................................... TheNCCAA.org........................................ VictorySportsNetwork.com...............................
RADIO WLCU 88.7 FM .......................(270) 789-5210 WVLC 99.9 FM .......................(270) 789-4998 WCKQ 104.1 FM .....................(270) 789-2401 WGKR 105.7 FM .....................(270) 789-1464 WTCO 1450 AM .......................(270) 789-2401
HEAD COACH SHANNON WATHEN 13th Season: 468-237-2 (.661) Shannon Wathen is in her 14th season at Campbellsville and 13th as head coach for the Lady Tiger softball program. Wathen, a 1999 graduate of Campbellsville, was a two-time NAIA All-American and two-time Kodak All-American for the Lady Tiger women’s basketball program. She ended her playing career in the Top 10 in numerous CU stat categories, including 1,365 points, 690 rebounds, 600 assists, 275 steals and 59 blocks. She began her coaching career as a women’s basketball graduate assistant. She decided to return to Campbellsville University in 2000 as a Lady Tiger assistant basketball coach under former Hall of Fame Coach Donna Wise. In 2003, she took over as head coach of the Lady Tiger softball program. During her 13 years as head coach she has an overall record of 468-237-2. In 2005 the Lady Tigers notched their first of three straight Mid-South Conference regular season championships. CU won the MSC regular season again in 2009, co-champs in 2013 and this season in 2015. Wathen’s teams also won the Mid-South Conference tournament in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Her teams have been to the MSC tournament finals in eight of her 13 seasons. The year 2015 has been one for the books. Having sometimes five freshmen in the starting lineup, Wathen has led her team to her sixth MSC regular season championship, the program’s first-ever NAIA Opening Round championship and also their first World Series appearance. During Wathen’s tenure, she has been named MSC Coach of the Year six times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2015). Four of her players have been named MSC Player of the Year, three others have been named MSC Pitcher of the Year a combined four times, and has coached three MSC Freshmen of the Year.
Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Position Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach
Wathen’s Coaching Career Year-by-Year
School Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville Campbellsville
Record MSC 25-21 21-27 28-16 14-15 38-14 15-5 41-14 14-4 29-21 12-8 39-7-1 17-1-1 38-20 21-7 34-27 18-7 41-24 15-8 42-17 25-5 44-21 26-10 38-8 22-2
Postseason
MSC Regular Season & Tournament Champs MSC Regular Season & Tournament Champs MSC Regular Season Champs MSC Tournament Champs MSC Regular Season Champs
MSC Regular Season Co-Champs MSC Regular Season Champs, NAIA World Series
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2015 LADY TIGER SOFTBALL G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N
Campbellsville University Lady Tigers (38-9, 22-2 MSC) No. 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 23 25
Name Adrean Jordan Brianna Scott Kendyl Ahrens Victoria Decker Neely Quint Hailey Szpila Destiney Taul Abbey Sheets Kennedy Shutter Reagan Kingrey Kristin Benton Erin Benton Shelby Ray Jacqueline Roof Brittany Rippy Rebecca Miller Markie Smith Ashley Neal
Yr. JR FR SR JR FR FR JR FR JR SO SR SR JR FR SO FR SO SR
Pos. OF OF OF P P IF UTIL OF OF IF OF C/3B UTL IF SS IF C C
B/T R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R
Ht. 5-11 5-6 5-11 5-7 5-6 5-7 5-9 5-5 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-7 5-3 5-7 5-7 5-5 5-7 5-7
Location...................................... Campbellsville, Ky. Enrollment....................................................... 3,652 Founded............................................................1906 Nickname............................................... Lady Tigers Colors........................................... Maroon and Grey President................................. Dr. Michael V. Carter Director of Athletics.................. Rusty Hollingsworth Website........................... CampbellsvilleTigers.com Conference.............................................. Mid-South Home Field........................ Veterans Memorial Park
Hometown / Previous School Chapel Hill, Tenn. / Forrest HS Summersville, Ky. / Green Co. HS Poseyville, Ind. / Rend Lake CC Leitchfield, Ky. / Grayson Co. HS Brookport, Ill. / McCracken Co. HS Shepherdsville, Ky. / Bullitt Central HS Mt. Sterling, Ky. / Montgomery Co. HS Frankfort, Ky. / Western Hills HS Kankakee, Ill. / Bishop McNamara HS Cave City, Ky. / Caverna HS Flaherty, Ky. / Meade Co. HS Flaherty, Ky. / Meade Co. HS Glasgow, Ky. / Glasgow HS Paducah, Ky. / McCracken Co. HS Scottsville, Ky. / Allen Co. Scottsville HS Louisville, Ky. / Holy Cross HS Greenville, Ky. / Muhlenberg Co. HS Cincinnati, Ohio / Lockland HS
S P O R T S I N F O R M AT I O N Sports Info Director ............................ Jordan Alves Sports Info Asst............................ Richard RoBards Alves’ E-Mail ................ jtalves@campbellsville.edu Alves’ Office Phone .......................... 270-789-5276 Alves’ Cell Phone ............................. 502-680-7005 RoBards E-Mail ................... rbrobards@gmail.com Sports Info Fax ................................ 270-789-5048 Mailing Address .............. 1 University Dr. UPO 793 ....................................... Campbellsville, Ky. 42718
C O A C H I N G S TA F F Head Coach ................................ Shannon Wathen Alma Mater/Year ..................... Campbellsville/1999 Career Record ....................................... 468-237-2 Assistant Coach .................................. Bryce White Softball Office Phone ....................... 270-789-5335
Head Coach - Shannon Wathen (13th Season, 468-237-2; Campbellsville, 1999) Assistant Coach - Bryce White (7th Season; Campbellsville, 2008)
NAME
GP GS AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO OB% SF SB SBA
Jacqueline Roof
42
42 0.363
Brianna Scott
47 46 0.336 125 41 42 10 2 7 25 77 0.616 15 16
27 0.468 0 9 8 9
Markie Smith
35 32 0.316 95 22 30 3 1 8 33 59 0.621 9 4
20 0.394 1 0 0 0
Kristin Benton
47 47 0.296 142 33 42 7 3 4 40 67 0.472 20 7
15 0.408 0 1 5 6
Rebecca Miller
46
10 0.350 0 8
Erin Benton
47 47 0.276 123 23 34 4 0 4 23 50 0.407 17 0
15 0.359 2 7 0 0
Reagan Kingrey
14
6
Adrean Jordan
35 33 0.250 92 10 23 5 0 1 11 31 0.337 1 1
23 0.263 1 7 0 0
Hailey Szpila
47 47 0.246 130 31 32 8 1 7 36 63 0.485 27 2
36 0.384 0 2 5 8
Shelby Ray
45
6
Kendyl Ahrens
33 27 0.224 76 11 17 3 1 2 13 28 0.368 11 0
7 0.322 0 2 1 1
Destiney Taul
13
3
46 0.278 2
0.267
42 0.243 6
0.217
135
126 15
103 23
35
20 4
18 2
49
35 4
25 5
5
4 1
0 1
0
9
1
34
2
0
18
0
1
3
0
0
47 5
6
0
81
27
2
6
0.600
0.373 0.333
0.262 0.261
14
12 2
5 0
5
3
2 0
1 0
0.442 0 4
0.353 0 0
6
2 0
0.282 1 11 3 0.217 0 2
0
8
3 0
4 0
Kennedy Shutter 19 1 0.200 5 12 1 0 0 0 1 1 0.200 1 0
1 0.333 0 0 1 1
Ashley Neal
2 0 0.500 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0.500 0 0
1 0.500 0 0 0 0
Brittany Rippy
5
1
Abbey Sheets
1 0 0.000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0 0
1 0.000 0 0 0 0
Campbellsville
47
177 0.364 5 53 36 45
Opponents
47 0.229 1220 98 279 22 2 10 86 335 0.275 63 27
5
0.364
11
2
4
1
0
1
2
8
0.727
2
1
0.286 1208 272 345 52 10 45 249 552 0.457 136 39
NAME
ERA W L GP GS CG SHO SV IP
Victoria Decker
1.52 19 4 26 23 19
Neely Quint Regan Kingrey
1.65 19 5 27 24 20 6 1 156.2 146 53 37 22 77 10 1 5 659 0.240 1
14
0 15
3.50 0
0
0
Campbellsville 1.61 38 9 55 39 11 2 317.2 270 98 73 64 189 20 2 10 1337 0.222 2
27
2 30
Opponents
39
6
7
5.10 9 38 77
0 27
0 4
1 4.0
6
2
2
0
1
0
0
4 1
661 0.200 1
HBP SFA SHA 2
0
42 111 10 1
0
188 0.276 1 28 32 34
H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR TBF B/Avg. WP
0 157.0 118 43 34
0
13
0 2
5
0.500 0 0
17
0.375 0
0 300.1 352 270 219 136 175 53 8 43 1447 0.289 12
14 1 50
RADIO / TELEVISION CHART
#1 Adrean Jordan
#2 Brianna Scott
#3 Kendyl Ahrens
#4 Victoria Decker
#7 Neely Quint
#8 Hailey Szpila
#9 Destiney Taul
#10 Abbey Sheets
#11 Kennedy Shutter
#13 Reagan Kingrey
#14 Kristin Benton
#15 Erin Benton
#19 Shelby Ray
#20 Jacqueline Roof
#21 Brittany Rippy
#22 Rebecca Miller
#23 Markie Smith
#25 Ashley Neal
HC-Shannon Wathen
AC-Bryce WhIte 8
2015 SCHEDULE / RESULTS Date Opponent February 14 vs. Grace College^ February 14 vs. RVBryan College^ February 27 vs. Lindenwood-Belleville@ February 27 vs. RVGeorgia Gwinnett College@ February 28 vs. 24Univ. of South Carolina Beaufort@ February 28 vs. William Woods University@ March 1 vs. 2William Carey University@ March 1 vs. Belhaven University@ March 6 vs. 1Aubun University Montgomery% March 6 vs. RVWilliam Penn University% March 7 vs. 11Belhaven University% March 7 vs. 16Central Methodist College% March 8 vs. RVColumbia College% March 21 vs. 2Lindsey Wilson College* March 21 vs. 2Lindsey Wilson College* March 22 vs. 2Lindsey Wilson College* March 22 vs. 2Lindsey Wilson College* March 24 vs. St. Catharine College* March 24 vs. St. Catharine College* March 27 at Shawnee State University* March 27 at Shawnee State University* March 28 at Shawnee State University* March 28 at Shawnee State University* March 31 at Cumberland University* March 31 at Cumberland University* April 4 vs. University of Pikeville* April 4 vs. University of Pikeville* April 11 vs. University of the Cumberlands* April 11 vs. University of the Cumberlands* April 12 vs. University of the Cumberlands* April 12 vs. University of the Cumberlands* April 17 vs. Georgetown College* April 17 vs. Georgetown College* April 18 vs. Georgetown College* April 18 vs. Georgetown College* April 23 vs. University of Pikeville* April 23 vs. University of Pikeville* April 30 vs. Shawnee State University # April 30 vs. St. Catharine College # May 1 vs. University of the Cumberlands # May 1 vs. Georgetown College # May 2 vs. St. Catharine College # May 11 vs. RVUniversity of Rio Grande $ May 12 vs. Indiana Wesleyan University $ May 12 vs. RVUniversity of Rio Grande $ May 13 vs. 16University of South Carolina Beaufort $ May 13 vs. 16University of South Carolina Beaufort $ May 22-28 NAIA World Series
Site Pulaski, Tenn. Pulaski, Tenn. Columbus, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Gulf Shores, Ala. Gulf Shores, Ala. Gulf Shores, Ala. Gulf Shores, Ala. Gulf Shores, Ala. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Portsmouth, Ohio Portsmouth, Ohio Portsmouth, Ohio Portsmouth, Ohio Lebanon, Tenn. Lebanon, Tenn. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Williamsburg, Ky. Williamsburg, Ky. Williamsburg, Ky. Williamsburg, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. Bowling Green, Ky. Bowling Green, Ky. Bowling Green, Ky. Bowling Green, Ky. Bowling Green, Ky. Beaufort, S.C. Beaufort, S.C. Beaufort, S.C. Beaufort, S.C. Beaufort, S.C. Sioux City, Iowa
^ Martin Methodist Meltdown - Pulaski, Tenn. | @ NAIA Leadoff Classic - Columbus, Ga. %
Gulf Coast Invitational - Gulf Shores, Ala. | $ NAIA Opening Round - Beaufort, S.C. | * 9
W/L W, 13-1 W, 3-0 W, 5-1 W, 2-0 L, 3-0 W, 4-2 W, 5-3 W, 9-0 L, 1-0 L, 6-5 W, 7-6 W, 9-2 L, 3-0 W, 5-4 W, 1-0 W, 4-3 L, 5-3 W, 3-2 W, 10-1 W, 6-2 W, 15-1 W, 10-1 W, 1-0 W, 5-3 W, 7-4 W, 3-0 W, 7-0 W, 11-1 W, 14-5 W, 7-4 W, 8-0 W, 8-0 W, 9-3 W, 5-3 W, 10-0 W, 12-1 L, 4-2 W, 7-2 L 1-0 W, 4-0 W, 8-0 L, 4-3 L, 4-3 W, 5-1 W, 3-2 W, 6-5 W, 7-2
MEET THE LADY TIGERS
2015 IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS LTS HEADS TO FIRST-EVER WORLD SERIES
Campbellsville’s trek to a 38-9 record and a 4-seed in the 2015 NAIA Softball World Series has played out in three parts, but not before 20 games were cancelled due to cold or rain. First, there was a pre-conference schedule that saw a young Lady Tiger team go 14-5 against some top-line competition at the NAIA Leadoff Classic and at the Gulf Shores Invitational. Then there was the heart of the Mid-South Conference schedule that saw CU defeat then No. 2 Lindsey Wilson College three of four games. After losing to Lindsey on March 22 in the final game of a four-game series, Campbellsville went on a 19-game win streak and won its first outright regular-season conference championship since 2009. But then the Lady Tigers suffered through a swoon, losing three of six before being bounced from the MSC Tournament and then being placed in the Beaufort Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round. After losing its first game in Hardeeville, S.C., CU then went on a four-game win streak to seal a bid to Sioux City, Iowa. FOUR FRESHMAN MAKE IMPACTS ON OFFENSE
Youth has been served on this year’s Lady Tiger team as four freshmen have played significant roles in the team’s offensive success. At times playing as many as five first-year players (including pitcher Neely Quint), coach Shannon Wathen has worked her magic juggling a lineup while dodging injuries. Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year Jacqueline Roof leads the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.363), hits (49), and home runs (9). Her eight stolen bases and 35 runs scored are also good for second and her 34 RBIs are good enough for third. Roof has received
ample support from fellow freshman Brianna Scott who is second on the team in batting average (.336), first in runs scored (41), tied for second in hits (42), leads the team with 10 doubles and 77 total bases. Hailey Szpila, also a freshman, has 36 RBIs and 63 total bases to go along with seven homers. Rebecca Miller caught every inning in the Opening Round run because of an injury to sophomore Markie Smith. Miller has seen action in 46 games as either a catcher or designated player. She’s added 35 hits.
BENTON TWINS LEAD LADY TIGERS
Upperclassmen Kristin and Erin Benton lead the rookies on and off the field. The twins from Flaherty, Ky. have accounted for 177 of head coach Shannon Wathen’s 468 wins (38 percent). Kristin, a 2014 NAIA All-American, got off to a slow start in 2015 but has come on as of late - hitting safely in 13-of-20 games since April 11. Her 40 RBIs also lead the Lady Tigers. Erin, who is just minutes younger than Kristin, was named Second-Team All-MSC for the first time in her career, hitting .276, four home runs and driving in 23 runs. The twins have started in all 47 games for Campbellsville in 2015, along with freshman 1B Hailey Szpila. TWO PITCHERS - 38 WINS
Junior Victoria Decker was named the Mid-South Conference Pitcher of the Year, leading the conference in opponents batting average (.200), innings pitched per game (6.04), hits allowed per game (5.26), and wins (19). She was also second in ERA (1.52). Freshman teammate Neely Quint was named first-team All-MSC and is right behind Decker with an ERA of 1.65. Opponents hit .240 off the freshman from Brockport, Ill good for seventh in the conference. Quint was also third in innings pitched per game (5.80) and total innings pitched (156.2) and also tied with Decker for a MSC lead, 19 wins. LTS MOVES INTO TOP 10 FOR FIRST TIME
Campbellsville wiggled its way into the Top 10 for the first time in program history on Tuesday, April 7, when the Lady Tigers came in at No. 9 in the fourth regular-season edition of the 2015 NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. The Lady Tigers have been making a steady climb up the rankings list since the preseason when they received nine voting points. In the regularseason rankings, CU has risen from 24th to 19th, 19th to 12th, 12th to ninth, ninth to eighth and eighth to seventh. In the final regular season pole, the Lady Tigers remained at No. 7 even though being eliminated from the MSC Tournament early. CU picked up 462 votings points - the third most in LTS history.
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19 innings - two wins Beaufort Bracket LTS WON FOUR-STRAIGHT ELIMINATION GAMES
After losing its first game of the Beaufort Opening Round, Campbellsville won four consecutive elimination games and carried away its first-ever trip to the NAIA World Series. The Lady Tigers held a 3-1 lead into the top of the seventh against Rio Grande (Ohio), but could not hold that advantage and lost 4-3 in the opener. The remainder of the Opening Round provided some of CU’s most dramatic softball of the season. After beating Indiana Wesleyan 5-1 in its first elimination game, a game in which Neely Quint and Victoria Decker held the Wildcats hitless, CU got into another nip-and-tuck battle with Rio Grande, eventually winning, 3-2. It was a run-scoring single in the fifth by Kristin Benton that provided the difference. Quint picked up both wins in the first two elimination games, one in relief of Decker and the other on a two-hitter against Rio Grande that set up the first championship matchup with host — University of South Carolina Beaufort. That’s when freshman Jacqueline Roof caught fire. She was 6-for-10 with two home runs and five RBIs in the 6-5 (12 innings) and 7-2 wins over the Sand Sharks. Going into the bottom of the 12th inning, Hailey Szpila worked a one-out walk and Kendyl Ahrens reached on an infield single setting up the fireworks. Senior Erin Benton singled to left field to plate Szpila for the game-winner, forcing the final game. Decker pitched to all but two batters in the 12-inning game vs. USC Beaufort, throwing a total of 172 pitches - 123 strikes and 49 balls. The championship game was all Campbellsville. CU never trailed, scoring three times in the third, bolstered by Jacqueline Roof’s leadoff home run. Three of CU’s five freshmen starters came up big at the plate. Roof was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and scored twice; Brianna Scott was 2-for-2 with a run scored; and Rebecca Miller, who caught all 19 innings in the two games today, was 1-for-3 with an RBI. The fourth freshman - Quint - won her 19th game in 24 decisions and worked her way around a ninehitter while striking out two. She stranded nine runners and had the bases loaded with two outs in the third and the fourth innings but worked out of the jam. Campbellsville put the game out of reach with a four-run fifth, aided by two USC Beaufort errors and three CU hits. 11
THREE PICK-UP MSC AWARDS COACH OF THE YEAR SHANNON WATHEN
PITCHER OF THE YEAR VICTORIA DECKER - RHP
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR JACQUELINE ROOF - SS
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