BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell
(9-34, 3-15 A-Sun) will try to snag their first A-Sun series
victory when in-state rival Gardner-Webb (17-27, 6-12 A-Sun) comes
to Taylor Field for a three-game set, beginning with a Friday
doubleheader at 4:00.
The Camels will try to rebound from a 12-0 loss to Duke on Tuesday.
The loss marked the end of a seven-game stretch in which the CU
pitching staff posted a 3.04 ERA while striking out 36 batters and
walking 11. All seven of those games came against teams with
winning records, including four games against nationally ranked
teams (three versus #18 Stetson and one against #2 North
Carolina).
Gardner-Webb runs into the creek after rattling off three straight
victories, two of which came in their last at-bat. Jay McConnell
stroked a two-out double in the ninth for a 9-8 victory over
Furman, and Matt Rizzuto laid down a bunt single to give GW a 6-5,
13-inning win over Kennesaw State. The Bulldogs are 4-2 in their
last six games after dropping seven straight games in nine days
time.
With Gardner-Webb in-town, the weekend also marks the return of
former Campbell standout and current Bulldog assistant Kent Cox.
Cox's successful playing career lasted from 1993-96 in which he set
Campbell school records for most hits (269), games (207) and
at-bats (774). Cox is also tied for seventh in career average with
a .348 mark. After his playing career, Cox spent four years as an
assistant for the Camels, helping CU to two Atlantic Sun
Tournaments.
The Bulldogs have had the best of the Camels, leading the all-time
series with a 7-5 record. Last season marked the first time
Campbell took a three-game series from Gardner-Webb, as the Camels
took two of three from the Bulldogs in Boiling Springs,
N.C.
Though the Campbell staff has been solid as of late, the CU offense
has been struggling. The Camels have managed more than five runs
just once in their last 12 outings. Tuesday's shut-out versus Duke
gave Campbell just five runs in its last four games. Mike Causey
and Brandon Scott were bright spots for CU on Tuesday, as Causey
was a perfect 3-3 and Scott rapped out a 2-4 evening in
Durham.
Gardner-Webb's forte has been the stolen base, as the Bulldogs have
swiped 104 on the season so far. Four Bulldogs are in double digits
in the category, as GW boasts three of the top seven base stealers
in the A-Sun with league leader Jamaal Kinard (24), Daniel Cooke
(18) and Jon Ahearn (15). Matt Rizzuto has been the run producer in
the line-up, as he is tied for sixth in the A-Sun with seven home
runs and has 31 RBI on the season.
Campbell and Gardner-Webb begin their tussle with a doubleheader
Friday. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is scheduled
for 4:00.
