BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Michael Felton gave Campbell a walk-off win for the second straight day, driving in the winning run with a base hit in the bottom of the ninth, defeating VMI 4-3 to clinch the Big South series Saturday at Jim Perry Stadium.
Campbell moves to 34-8 overall and 13-4 in Big South games with its third consecutive win, while VMI dips to 18-24 and 5-9 in league play. With the win, the Camels claim their third-straight series.
The series will conclude tomorrow at 1 p.m., with free admission.
The Camels took Friday's opener 2-1 over the Keydets on Blake Boyce's game ending RBI double in the bottom of the ninth.
John Reilly led off the bottom of the ninth for Campbell with a base hit to center to begin the rally. After Ben McQuown sacrificed the junior into scoring position, a fly out gave the Camels two outs in the final frame. With a 0-1 count, Felton slapped a single through the right side to bring around Reilly for the winning run.
Campbell struck first in the second inning when Trevor Lane singled through the right side to plate Nick Ray and Michael DeLucia.
VMI answered in the top of the third, as Rob Dickinson's double brought two Keydets home, knotting the game at 2-all.
After Campbell loaded the bases on three walks in the home fourth, McQuown's sacrifice fly gave Campbell a 3-2 lead, scoring DeLucia.
VMI evened the game again in the fifth when Matt Winn drew a bases loaded walk.
David Olson earned the win for the Camels in relief, pitching two frames with a hit, two strikeouts and a walk to improve to 3-0 this season. Coley Thompkins worked 2/3 of an inning.
CU starter Heath Bowers went 6 1/3, allowing three runs on four hits with six strikeouts and five walks. The Camels have won in all 10 of Bowers' starts this season.
John Garrett was charged with the loss, falling to 3-3, allowing a run on one hits with a strikeout and a walk. Starter T.J. Lighton surrendered three runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout. Andrew Montague allowed the base hit to Felton in the ninth, working 1/3 of an inning.
Felton went 2-for-4 for the Camels, while Lane posted a 1-for-2 day, adding two RBI. DeLucia scored twice, going 1-for-3.
Dickinson knocked in two runs for the Keydets, while Nick Dwyer scored twice. Jordan Tarsovich was 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
The Camels will host North Carolina Central (April 23, 6:00 p.m.) and UNC Greensboro (April 24, 6:00 p.m.) next week at Jim Perry Stadium.
