SHELBY, N.C. – Campbell jumped out to an early lead, scoring six runs in the top of the second inning, to go on to hand Gardner-Webb a 10-5 loss in Big South Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb falls to 15-12 overall and 6-5 in Big South play, while Campbell improves to 19-11 on the season and 9-2 in league action.
The Camels took control of the game in the top of the second, scoring their first run of the game on a RBI single by AJ Hrica. That was followed by a wild pitch that allowed Koby Collins to score, and a three-run home run by Matthew Barefoot. A RBI groundout by Collin Wolf would add one more run, setting the score at 6-0.
Barefoot would lead off the fourth with a solo home run to push Campbell's lead to 7-0.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. After loading the bases with no outs, back-to-back groundouts by
Mitch McLendon and
Justin Kunz drove in runs to set the score at 7-2.
Campbell answered in the top of the sixth inning, plating two runs on a base hit by Tyler Anshaw, expanding its lead back to seven runs at 9-2.
The Camels added one last run in the top of the eighth inning on a RBI double by pinch hitter Ty Babin.
Gardner-Webb loaded the bases once again in the bottom of the eighth and would plate runs on a RBI walk by
Eric Jones and a single through the right side by
Ben LaSpaluto.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to threaten in the bottom of the ninth, juicing the bases for the third time. A balk by Campbell pitcher Cole Hart allowed
Chris Clary to score, who led off the frame with a base hit, with two outs, and
Corey Howard would reach on a walk to load the bases once again.
Campbell would send Landry Moore to the mound, who would record the final out to thwart GWU's comeback attempt.
Michael Horrell (5-1) earned the win for the Camels, allowing just two runs on a pair of base hits in seven innings while racking up 10 strikeouts. LMoore earned his fourth save of the year, recording the final out with the tying run on deck.
Landon Mitchell (2-4) took the loss for GWU, allowing nine runs on 12 hits with eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Reliever
Cody Dooley tossed 2.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits, while
Chase Lane tossed the ninth, allowing no runs on one hit with one strikeout.
Campbell tallied 16 base hits on the day, paced by Luis Gimenez (3-for-6, 2B) and Anshaw (3-for-5, 2 RBI).
Gardner-Webb had just six hits throughout the contest, with LaSpaluto leading that effort with a 2-for-4 performance with one RBI.
The teams will wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 pm at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.
