PULASKI, Tenn. - The Panthers started their 2016 season Friday afternoon against the No. 8 Campbellsville University Tigers. Junior pitcher Emily Maves started off fast from the circle for the Panthers as she struck out the first six batters she faced on the way to a complete game for DU. The Panthers used timely hitting to earn the 2-1 victory to put their 2016 record at 1-0.

Maves retired the first nine batters she faced and recorded eight strike outs to hold the Tigers in check. DU would take the 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Alyssa Koziol reached on a fielders choice, and advanced to second base after Haley Obetts grounded out to the pitcher. Nicole Vitale then came up and knocked a single through the right side that scored Koziol from second base, and DU led 1-0.

The Tigers responded immediately as Adrean Jordan hit a solo home run to left field off of Maves and tied the score, 1-1. This would turn out to be the only mistake from Maves as she kept the Tigers off of the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.

The Panther offense would come through with the go ahead run in the bottom of the 6^th. Lindsay Tasma reached on a Tiger error and stole second to put the game-winning run in scoring position. Koziol stepped up to the plate a knocked a double off of the left field wall that scored Tasma and the Panthers took the 2-1 lead. Maves would secure the win for DU by retiring the side in the top of the seventh on two strike outs. Koziol finished her day with a 1-for-3 performance with one RBI and one run scored. Vitale went 1-for-3 at the plate and Sarah Schneidenbach went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Maves (1-0) tossed her 42^nd career complete game and struck out her 400^th career batter in the game. Victoria Decker (0-1) threw six innings for Campbellsville, struck out four and allowed one earned run.

The Panthers will finish up play in the Martin Methodist Meltdown with a game today (Feb. 12) at 4 p.m. ET against Martin Methodist College and tomorrow (Feb. 13) against Grace College at 3 p.m. ET.