BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.- Campbell plated seven runs in the seventh inning to take a 10-6 decision over Gardner-Webb in Friday's Big South Conference series opener at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Gardner-Webb (13-15, 12-7 Big South) held a 5-2 lead over Campbell (17-10, 12-6 Big South) as play headed to the seventh inning. The Camels took control of the contest, scoring seven runs on seven base hits, compounded by a pair of GWU errors, off of the Runnin' Bulldog bullpen.
The Camels added one run in the top of the eighth as Spencer Packard led off with a home run to right field, setting the score at 10-5.
The 'Dogs attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Mitch McLendon led off by belting a double to right field and quickly advanced to third base on a wild pitch. McLendon later scored as an error by Campbell third baseman Colin Wolf allowed
Cam Pearcey to reach base and advance to second.
Keiji Parkhurst reached via a walk to put the tying run on deck, but the contest ended as
Joe Simone lined out into a double play.
Pearcey gave Gardner-Webb an initial 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as he blasted a solo home run past the left field wall, his fifth home run of the season.
Campbell tied the game in the top of the third inning. Ty Babin led off the frame with a double to left field, and was able to cross the plate on an error.
GWU reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single by
Dom Peroni, plating
Patrick Ferguson who led off the inning with a stand-up double to right field.
The Camels squared the contest at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run by Zach Neto.
Gardner-Webb opened up a three-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Two runs were able to cross the plate after a throwing error by Campbell shortstop Mason De La Cruz, and Pearcey drove another run in on a knock to center field.
Gardner-Webb totaled ten base hits on the evening, with Pearcey (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) leading that effort.
Eric Jones (2-for-3, 2B) and Peroni (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) also had multi-hit evenings.
Campbell collected 13 hits, led by Packard (3-for-5, HR, RBI).
Mason Miller had another stellar start on the mound for the Runnin' Bulldogs, fanning eight while allowing just one earned run on four hits in six innings of work.
Isaac Campbell (1-3) took the loss, giving up four runs on four hits while recording one out in the top of the seventh.
Langdon Wilson gave up three runs on three hits without recording an out in the seventh.
Tyler Harrison worked the final 2.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits.
Kevin Westlake (1-0) took the win for the Camels, hurling the final 3.2 frames, giving up one unearned run on two hits with four strikeouts. Starter Thomas Harrington was chased with no outs in the top of the fourth, allowing two runs on seven base hits with one strikeout.
The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm inside Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium. Both games can be viewed live on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).
