Zach Russell-Myers combined to go 4-for-7 at the plate Saturday afternoon and pitched a four-hit, seven-inning complete game in the series finale to lead Bluefield College to a split against #21 Campbellsville at Bowen Field. The Tigers claimed game one, 4-2, while the Rams bounced back to take the second, 4-1.

With the split, Bluefield moves its record to 14-18 overall, 4-11 in MSC games. The Tigers, meanwhile, now stand at 22-7, 9-3 MSC.

Game One: #21 Campbellsville 4, Bluefield 2

Despite outhitting Campbellsville 9-4 in game one, the Tigers found more timely hits and capitalized on a key Bluefield error to claim the Saturday opener, 4-2.

The Rams struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Chris Rosa and Jacob Wright began the frame with back-to-back singles, and each advanced a base thanks to a Kaleb Long sacrifice bunt. Kyle Long drove in Rosa with a groundout to give Bluefield a 1-0 lead.

Campbellsville gained a 3-1 lead behind three runs in the fourth. The first two Tigers landed on base thanks to a walk, then an error. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position with one out. A groundout to short brought in the first run. After another walk by starting pitcher Justin Lykins, Carlos Torres singled to bring home the second run of the inning while another two-out single brought in the third of the inning.

The Tigers added another run in the fifth, converting on a two-out double steal.

Bluefield answered back with one of their own in the fifth. Will Simpson tallied his second single of the ballgame, then advanced to second on a wild pitch from starting pitcher Sean Bouthilette. Russell-Myers promptly drove his teammate home with his seventh triple of the year.

The Rams appeared to have a big inning ahead in the bottom of the sixth after loading the bases with no outs. However, relief pitcher Matt Robertson – who came in at the beginning of the frame – struck out a pair of Bluefield batters and forced a groundout to get out of the jam.

Robertson settled in the rest of the way for the Tigers and retired nine of the last 11 Rams he faced to earn the save (2).

Bouthilette improved his record to 4-2 on the rubber, allowing two runs and striking out five in five innings of work. Lykins fell to 2-4 with the complete game effort, surrendering just four hits and only one earned run. He struck out five, but walked six on the day.

Game Two: Bluefield 4, #21 Campbellsville 1

Russell-Myers settled into a groove on the mound in game two and cruised the complete seven innings for a 4-1 Bluefield victory.

The Tigers put their first and only run on the board in their first at bat, converting on another Bluefield miscue. With two out, Aaron Schwoebel reached base on a misplaced toss from Rams first baseman, Ryan Foster. Tanner Nielsen scored on the play, as he led off the game with a triple.

Russell-Myers quickly leveled the contest in the bottom of the frame, sending the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for his second homer of the season.

Bluefield jumped ahead 4-1 behind three runs in the third inning. With one out, Russell-Myers continued to help his own cause by singling up the middle. Blaine Hill came on as the courtesy runner and advanced to second when Tiger second baseman Michael Bush couldn't corral a Christian Burton groundball.


Wright made the Tigers pay for the error as he pounded a double to center to score Hill and advance Burton to third. With two out and the bases loaded thanks to a walk to Trevor Martin, Kaleb Long singled to center to drive home both Burton and Wright. A chopper back to the pitcher ended the Rams' rally.

Campbellsville looked to answer in the next half inning, placing their first two batters on base. A sacrifice bunt earned one out, and advanced the Tiger pair to scoring positions. However, Russell-Myers came through with a timely strikeout and forced a fly ball to hold Campbellsville scoreless in the inning.

The Tigers threatened again in the top of the sixth, but left two runners on base as the Rams got out of the inning unscathed once again.

Russell-Myers issued a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, but a 6-3 double play ended the game and sealed the Rams' 4-1 victory.

Russell-Myers (5-3) struck out three and gave up no earned runs in his seven inning performance. Campbellsville starting pitcher Bret DeRooy (2-2) took the loss.

The Rams' next game is scheduled for Wednesday, as they step out of conference to host Emory & Henry for a 6 p.m. single game. Bluefield defeated the Wasps just recently, earning a 15-8 win on the road.