BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Charleston Southern jumped out to a 4-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth, but the Campbell offense came alive with eight runs in its final two at bats to take the Big South series with an 8-5 triumph on Saturday afternoon at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
Junior designated player Olivia Scarborough (Buies Creek, N.C.) ignited the rally with her eighth round tripper of the season to put the Camels on the scoreboard. A two-RBI double by freshman catcher Courtney Klingler (Alvin, Texas) brought the Campbell (28-16, 12-4 Big South) deficit to one, 4-3.
Following a squeeze bunt by Melanie Stickney of Charleston Southern (10-35, 3-14 Big South) that increased the lead to 5-3, five-straight hits began the sixth for the Camels. Sophomore third baseman Brittany Bruce (Lumberton, N.C.) knotted the contest at five with a two-run single up the middle, scoring classmate second baseman Maggie Christopher (Awendaw, S.C.) and Scarborough.
An RBI double by sophomore centerfielder Stephanie Jones (Black Mountain, N.C.) provided Campbell with its first lead of the afternoon, 6-5. Sophomore shortstop Ericka Nesbitt (Salisbury, N.C.) extended the advantage to two on an infield single after Jones swiped third base.
Pushing the final run across for the Camels was senior right fielder Sarah Forgacs (Cary, N.C.) with a single through the left side.
Campbell registered a season-high five doubles in the contest led by Klingler, who connected on two of them.
In the circle, freshman Courtney Roberts (Simpsonville, S.C.) improved to 15-6 on the campaign with nine strikeouts during the complete game. The loss was charged to Jennifer Giles (6-25), who fanned three during the contest.
The Bucs took advantage of a hit batter and pair of walks in the first as Hannah Wagner, who totaled two hits, delivered a bases loaded double that ended up clearing the bases.
In the second, the first scoring opportunity presented its self for Campbell as a lead-off walk was issued to junior first baseman Raven Lee (Battleboro, N.C.), who drew three during the contest. Sophomore pinch runner Kerstine Womack (Broadway, N.C.) stole second, but would end up being erased at home on a tag by the catcher Marci Christian following a single by Forgacs through the right side.
Charleston Southern extended its lead to 4-0 on a delayed steal with runners on the corners. Ari Tedesco, who went 2-for-2 with a walk, scored on the play.
Campbell begins a 10-game road trip on Tuesday with a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. in Rock Hill, S.C. against Winthrop. Fans can follow the action with links to live stats and free audio on the softball schedule page of GoCamels.com.
