Durham, N.C. – Campbell pounded out 20 hits and four Camel pitchers combined for a shutout as CU took a 20-0 road victory over NC Central on Wednesday evening at Durham Athletic Park.
Jake Kirkland and David Olson each had identical 3-for-4 stat lines with five RBI and two runs scored to lead the CU offensive effort, and Curtis Linthicum picked up his second win of the season after tossing five shutout innings. Erick Gaylord also finished with a three-hit night for the visitors and scored one run.
The Fighting Camels opened up a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Michael Felton doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on Kirkland's RBI single.
CU added four more runs in the third inning with Felton and Olson contributing RBI base hits before Ben Fish ripped a two-out, two-RBI double to the right-center field gap to give Campbell a 5-0 lead through three innings.
Curtis Linthicum retired the first eleven batters he faced in his second start of the season before top Eagle hitter Luis Diaz singled up the middle for the first NCCU base hit of the game. Linthicum (2-0) left after tossing five innings of two-hit ball, striking out two while walking one batter in a winning effort.
Olson recorded a two-RBI double as part of a four-run fourth inning that gave Campbell a 9-0 advantage. CU pushed six runs across in the fifth inning to take a commanding 15-0 lead over NC Central. Kirkland tallied a three-RBI double in the frame before Olson and Nick Ray concluded it with back-to-back home runs.
Campbell scored five runs over the final two innings of play, highlighted by Brent Graham's two-RBI double in the eighth inning. Austin Beard also added a pinch hit single for the Camels. Ryan Koopman tossed two innings of relief, scattering two hits and striking out three batters. Brandon Wilson and Coley Thompkins completed the shutout, pitching a scoreless eighth and ninth inning, respectively.
Eagle starter Jacob Russell (1-5) took the loss for NCCU, allowing six hits and five runs during his three innings of work.
Campbell returns to action this Friday with a conference series against UNC Asheville. First pitch of Friday's opener will be at 5 p.m.
