BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Gardner-Webb went toe-to-toe with No. 13 Campbell on Friday night, but fell 4-3 to the Camels in the opener of a key Big South Conference series.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (27-21, 12-10 Big South) plated all three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead, before Campbell (38-10, 20-2 Big South) scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to go in front for good.
The Camels took advantage of a walk and an error to get rolling in the second inning. An RBI single put the home team up with one out, and another single plated an unearned run for a 2-0 lead.
Neither team scratched again until Gardner-Webb made its push in the sixth.
Peter Capobianco cut the lead in half, leading off with a solo home run on the sixth pitch he saw.
Jacob Marcos didn't let the dust settle, legging out a double to left.
Curtis Robison tied the game with an RBI single through the right side and stole second to get into scoring position.
Alec Burns was hit by a pitch and he and Robison both moved up 90 feet on a failed pickoff attempt. A fielder's choice ground ball by
Mark Black allowed Robison to sprint home and Gardner-Webb had the lead.
Gardner-Webb starter
Bobby Alcock worked quickly through the bottom of the sixth, retiring the Camels on just seven pitches. The Runnin' Bulldogs went quickly in the top of the seventh and Campbell made its move after the stretch.
A leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt put the tying run in scoring position and forced a call to the bullpen for the 'Dogs. Back-to-back hits with two outs – an RBI single and an RBI double – put the Camels in front.
Gardner-Webb got a man on board with one out in the eighth, but Robison was stranded after being hit by a pitch. Campbell's Cade Boxrucker worked a clean ninth inning to end the game.
Ty Cummings (5-1) came out of the pen to earn a relief win for Campbell, hurling two innings without allowing a hit. Boxrucker worked the final two frames for a save.
The Camels had seven hits, with nine-hole hitter Chandler Riley going 3-for-4 to lead the way.
Alcock had another solid Big South start, earning a no decision after allowing just two earned runs on four hits in 6.1 innings of work. He struck out six batters.
Dalton Wood (1-2) was tagged with the loss out of the pen, allowing one run on two hits in 0.1 innings of work.
Michael Portela came on to get out of the seventh-inning jam and keep Campbell off the board in the eighth.
Gardner-Webb had six hits in the game. Robison (2-for-3, RBI) and
Trevor Mattson (2-for-4) had two each.
The two teams will resume the series on Saturday night at 6:00 pm (ESPN+).
