Tournament Central
CONWAY, S.C. – No. 4 Campbell knocked No. 9 Liberty out of the Big South Championship, 7-0, Friday morning to survive and advance in the tournament with a record of 1-1.
The win was Campbell's fourth of the season over the Flames, after sweeping the series earlier this year.
"I thought it was a great team effort," head coach Drew Peterson said. "I thought the whole team brought a lot of energy and was really focused."
Courtney Klingler led the Camels in hitting, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Milly Martinet (2-for-3) and Erica Johnson (1-for-2) each brought in two runners.
Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year Shaela Churchill added the game's only home run.
Big South All-Freshman team selection Katie Baker pitched the complete game shutout, recording eight strikeouts and six hits, moving to 14-10 on the year.
"It's fantastic when a freshman pitcher goes out there and records a shutout for us," Peterson continued. "We're proud of that. We're excited for our seniors - Shaela Churchill getting a home run, Raven Lee coming in with a key pinch-hit single to break that inning open and lighten the load a little bit. We did what we needed to do and now it's on to game two today and win the next game, that's all it is."
Liberty threatened in the fourth inning, after a single and fielder's choice placed Hanna Nichols on second base. Blair Lawrence hit a single to Brittany Bruce, whose throw wasn't in time, but first baseman Jordan Clarke was able to turn the ball to home plate where Martinet tagged out Nichols for the third out of the inning.
The game remained scoreless until Churchill knocked out her third home run of the season in the fourth inning. The solo shot gave Campbell the 1-0 lead.
Baker struck out the side in the fifth, all swinging, to preserve the Camel lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Courtney Klingler slapped a double to the left field fence, and Maggie Christopher entered the game to pinch run. Milly Martinet ground a single up the middle, bringing in Christopher with her team-leading 44th RBI of the year and putting the Camels up 2-0.
After another scoreless top, Olivia Scarborough started the sixth for the Camels with a walk. Churchill then reached first on an error, placing runners on first and second for Raven Lee.
The junior hit a single to left to load the bases, and Clarke reentered the game to run for Lee. Erica Johnson notched the third single of the inning down the left field line and brought in Anderson, who was running for Scarborough, and Churchill as the Camels went up 4-0.
After Jones struck out, Kerstine Womack also hit a single to bring in Clarke. Klingler earned her third hit of the day on an RBI single, scoring Johnson and putting Womack on third base.
Martinet recorded the final CU hit of the day on a single to center, earning her second RBI as Womack crossed the plate and CU increased its lead to 7-0.
The Flames threatened with a double in the seventh, but it was the only offensive production and the Camels clinched the victory.
Campbell will play the winner of the Presbyterian-Charleston Southern game tonight at 9:30 at CCU Softball Field.
