BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Campbell softball team defeated Drexel 4-0 to begin Saturday at the Hampton Inn Camel Stampede Tournament, but Morehead State was able to knock off the hosts, 1-0. The pitching staff was stellar for the Camels as the duo of freshman Courtney Roberts (Simpsonville, S.C.) and senior Brittany Arnn (Danville, Va.) combined for 16 strikeouts, eight each, in the doubleheader.
Sophomore Ericka Nesbitt (Salisbury, N.C.) notched a multi-hit game against Drexel, but snapped a 26-game reached base streak against the Eagles.
The key hit for Campbell against the Dragons was a two-RBI double to center in the fifth by Forgacs, who also registered two base knocks. Junior designated player Olivia Scarborough (Buies Creek, N.C.) nailed a round tripper against Drexel.
Holding Drexel to just one hit over seven innings was Roberts to increase her record to 5-3. Arnn kept the Eagles off the scoreboards except for an unearned run in the first giving up just four hits in the complete game.
Campbell continues a 10-game homestand on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Charlotte with the first pitch slated for 4 p.m.
Game One: Campbell 4, Drexel 0
The only base hit notched by the Dragons came in the third by Hanna Parrish. Tera Konopka (2-7) took the loss in the circle and registered three strikeouts.
In the second, sophomore center fielder Stephanie Jones (Black Mountain, N.C.) singled through the left side to begin the frame and Forgacs doubled to right center. A squeeze play scored the first run for the Camels with sophomore second baseman Maggie Christopher (Awendaw, S.C.) laying down a sacrifice bunt to plate Jones.
Drexel put two runners on base in the third with two outs as Parrish singled and Maggy Fermo drew a walk before Roberts notched her fourth strikeout.
Leading off the fifth was Scarborough with a solo blast over the fence in left. It was her fourth home run of the campaign.
The Camels continued the offensive attack as Nesbitt recorded a one-out single through the left side. A walk was issued to sophomore third baseman Brittany Bruce (Lumberton, N.C.) and freshman catcher Courtney Klingler (Alvin, Texas) was plunked by a pitch to load the bases.
Two runs came home on a double to center off the bat of Forgacs to put Campbell up 4-0.
Notching the final out for the Camels was Roberts with a season-high eight strikeouts.
Game Two: Morehead State 1, Campbell 0
Four Eagles tallied hits for Morehead State as one unearned run the first was the difference. Katie Pfost, a southpaw, fanned five and gave up just three hits in the complete-game victory.
The contest began with Adrena Anderson beating-out an infield single to third base and advanced to third following a fielding miscue by the Camels. The runner came around to touch the plate on a groundout to short.
During the bottom-half, Bruce registered the first hit of the contest for Campbell, but would be stranded.
Only one base runner for each team reached base following walks until the sixth. Amber Riddle drew a walk during the sixth for the Eagles, while Scarborough reached on an error.
Freshman pinch runner Haley Haselden (Aynor, S.C.) came in for Scarborough, but would be out trying to advance to third after an infield single by sophomore left fielder Kerstine Womack (Broadway, N.C.). The throw from third got past the first baseman, but the catcher was there to back it up and toss it across the diamond for the out.
With Womack standing on second representing the tying run with one out, Campbell was unable to score her from second.
A one-out single was registered by Katie Raile in the seventh for Morehead State. Pinch runner Lizzy Maragagliotti would be picked off on an alert play by the catcher Klinger, who throw the ball to junior first baseman Raven Lee (Battleboro, N.C.) and applied the tag.
Campbell had one final opportunity as Forgacs singled to third with two outs, but Pfost was up to the challenge to end the contest.
