BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb dropped an 8-6 decision to Campbell on the opening night of Big South Conference play for both teams.
The Runnin' Bulldogs drop to 10-13 overall and 0-1 in Big South play, while the Camels improve to 10-12 and 1-0 in league play.
Gardner-Webb got off to a hot start, with lead off batter Paul Trick blasting a home run over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead with no outs in the bottom of the first.
The 'Dogs would put runners on second and third with one away and Danny Sullivan would send a fly ball deep enough into center field to score Corey Howard from third to give GWU an early 2-0 lead.
Campbell would answer in the top of the second, scoring one run on a RBI groundout by Adam Wyse, but Gardner-Webb would retake a two-run advantage, scoring on a RBI single to left field by Trick to lead 3-1 after two innings.
The Camels would take the lead in the top of the fourth inning, scoring five runs, with the last two coming off of a double down the left field line by Cole Hallum.
Gardner-Webb would tie the game in the bottom half of the frame, leading off with a solo home run to center field by Chandler Redmond. It was his team-leading fifth homer of the season.
A pair of RBI groundouts in the inning tied the game at 6-6 after four innings.
Campbell would seize the lead for good in the fifth inning after a RBI single by Matthew Barefoot drove in two runs with two outs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs had 12 base hits throughout the evening, led by Trick, who went 3-for-5 with three RBI with one home run. Mickey Dugan (2-for-5, RBI), Collin Thacker (2-for-4), Justin Kunz (2-for-4, run) and Redmond (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs) also had multiple hits.
Campbell had 14 hits, led by Barefoot (3-for-5, 3 RBI, run) and Zach Minnick (3-for-4, 3 runs).
Harry Thomas earned the win in relief for the Camels, tossing the final 6.0 innings with three strikeouts, while allowing just four base hits. Starter Allan Winans lasted 3.0 innings, giving up six earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Zach Mosay was saddled with the loss for GWU, lasting 6.0 innings while giving up eight earned runs on 12 base hits with two strikeouts.
The two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon, with a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 pm. Sunday's game has been cancelled due to forecasted inclement weather. Both of Saturday's games will be live streamed on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com).
