BUIES CREEK, N.C - Campbell's softball team (3-13-1) exploded for
four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of the first game to
salvage a split against N.C. State (13-9) on Wednesday evening,
March 10, at the Eakes Athletic Complex. CU fell in the second game
by a 3-0 margin
The Camels received strong pitching performances in both games with
sophomore Christina Melton (2-4)
picking up the victory in the first game with a complete game and
six strikeouts. The Charlotte native only surrendered three solo
home runs in the victory. Senior Brittany Stanley (0-7)
pitched well for Campbell despite taking the loss. Of the three
runs she allowed only one was earned in her six innings of work.
Stephanie Call (4-1) was able to outdueled Stanley and threw her
fourth complete game and first shutout of the year. Lindsay Campana
(8-3) was handed the loss in the first game. She allowed all four
runs but only one was earned as three errors were committed behind
her.
The Wolfpack started the scoring in the first game on Alyssa
Allbritten's first inning home run to left field. NC State added a
solo blast from Call in the fourth inning to take the 2-0
advantage.
CU's offense struck back with four in the bottom of the sixth
inning to take the lead. Freshman Sarah
Forgacs started the rally with lead off single. A fielder's
choice by junior Katie Hinton in which the
throw pulled the NC State shortstop off the bag at second allowed
Hinton to reach and Forgacs to move to second. Both runners moved
up a base on Melton's infield single. Sophomore Taylor
McGee then singled through the left side to score Forgacs.
Hinton came scampering home on the ensuing throwing error from the
left fielder that allowed Melton to move all the way to third and
McGee to second. Junior Lauren Stephan was struck
out but she reach first on the pass ball from the NCSU catcher.
After a strikeout, senior Robin Leathers was able to
hit a slow chopper in the infield that hit off the Wolfpack second
baseman and bounded away scoring both Melton and McGee and giving
the Camels the lead.
The Wolfpack would make things interesting in the seventh when
Alicia Abbott led off the frame with a home run. Melton proved up
to the challenge though and retired the next three in order to
secure the victory.
North Carolina State again scored early with a run in the first
inning of the second game. Landon Warren reached on an error,
advanced to second and then third on a pass ball and scored on
Allbritten's ground out.
The Wolfpack added a run in the second as the infield pop out by
Breanna Andrews behind second base allowed Kristine Bechtholdt to
score.
The last insurance run was added in the sixth on Andrews' RBI
single.
The Camels will next head to the Tennessee Invitational and take on
Liberty on Saturday, March 13 at 3 p.m. in Knoxville.
