BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb rapped out 11 hits Saturday afternoon against Campbell, but saw the Camels rally late in an 8-6 loss at Bill Masters Field and John Henry Moss Stadium.
Campbell (14-12, 4-1 Big South) used a three-run home run by Drew Winters with one out in the top of the ninth to take the lead for good. After Ty Babin and Drake Pierson hit singles to get on base, Winters worked a 3-1 count and hit a fastball over the fence in right center.
Gardner-Webb (10-18, 1-4 Big South) got the tying run on base after a two-out double down the line by
Peter Capobianco and
Alec Burns drew a pinch hit walk. Campbell reliever Ryan Chasse worked out of trouble, getting a ground ball to end the game.
The Runnin' Bulldogs surged in front in the bottom of the second, breaking a 1-1 tie after
Elijah Bowers walked and
Jacob Marcos ripped an RBI double down the left field line. Marcos scored the team's first run in the first, leading off with a single to center, stealing second then scoring on a wild pitch.
Campbell retook the lead with two unearned druns in the fourth, but a leadoff double by
Daegan Brady in the fourth allowed Gardner-Webb to pull back even. Brady moved to third on a nice sacrifice bunt by
AJ Jones, then Bowers stroked a single into left for a 3-3 score.
Jones stepped into the box to lead off the sixth and belted his first career home run to right center, hammering a 2-0 fastball for a 4-3 lead.
Campbell surged back in front with two runs in the top of the seventh, getting an RBI triple from Lawson Harrill and a sacrifice fly from Connor Denning for a 5-4 advantage. The lead was short lived.
Curtis Robison walked with one out in the bottom of the seventh and scored on a sharp double to left field by Capobianco. A wild pitch moved Capobianco to third and he scored when
Bo Rusher III laced a RBI single through a drawn in infield for a 6-5 Gardner-Webb lead.
Campbell loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth inning, with all three runners reaching after being hit by pitches.
Connor Gleeson worked out of the jam, burying a 3-2 slider deep for a strikeout to keep the lead.
The Camels then rallied in the top of the ninth for the victory.
Gabe Pilla (0-1) was saddled with the loss, working an inning and allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts. Starter
Tyler Switalski worked 3.2 innings in a no decision, allowing one earned run on five hits. He struck out a pair.
Connor Maggi pitched 3.1 solid innings of relief, allowing just two runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
Marcos (2-for-5), Robison (2-for-4) and Capobianco (2-for-4) each had two of Gardner-Webb's 11 hits.
Campbell starter Cade Kuehler went 5.0 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. He struck out eight batters and walked two. Cade Boxrucker (1-0) worked through 3.0 innings in relief to pick up the win, allowing three runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
Chasse worked the ninth to pick up his third save of the season.
Jarrod Belbin, Zack Williams and Pierson each had a pair of hits to pace Campbell's 11-hit offensive effort. Winters was the third Camels' designated hitter of the game, and went 1-for-2 with the big blow in the ninth for three RBI.
The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm (ESPN+).
