CLINTON, S.C. – Campbell scored six runs in the top of the 11th to break a 1-1 tie and take game one of the Big South weekend series Friday afternoon at Presbyterian, 7-1.
Campbell moves to 26-5 overall and 7-3 in Big South games, while PC falls to 18-13 on the season and 5-2 in league games. The series will continue Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at the PC Baseball Complex.
The Camels' 11th inning rally began with Michael Felton drawing a leadoff walk. After Michael DeLucia loaded the bases with a one-out single, a PC error on Jesse Simmons' chopper allowed Felton and Nick Ray to score, breaking the 1-all tie.
Clayton Brown followed with a two-run single through the left side, making it 5-1 Camels. Two batters later, Brent Graham doubled off the left field wall, adding another score. Brown later scored on a wild pitch, capping off the six run inning.
Junior reliever Ryan Thompson retired the Blue Hose in order in the bottom of the frame to seal the win. Thompson was credited with the win, moving to 3-0 after pitching 4 2/3 with a run on two hits with a strikeout and a walk.
Campbell starter Ryan Mattes pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing seven hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Brett Byrum was charged with the loss, allowing a run in 1 1/3 with a walk, falling to 1-4 on the season. PC starters Beau Dees surrendered just one run on six hits with six strikeouts and a walk in eight innings. Tim Corbin pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing one walk. Michael Ricchi, who did not record an out, allowed five runs, three earned, on two hits with a walk.
David Olson's first home run of the season, a solo shot to center in the top of the seventh, gave Campbell the initial lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, leadoff hits from Aaron Preston and Brad Zebedis put runners on first and third with none out. Preston scored one batter later on Cam McRae's double play ball, forcing extra frames.
DeLucia went 3-for-5 in the win with a run scored, while Brown knocked in two for the Camels.
Preston paced PC, going 3-for-5 with a run scored.
The Camels return to Jim Perry Stadium next week, hosting five games in Buies Creek. The week begins with North Carolina A&T on Tuesday, followed by Savannah State on Wednesday. Campbell will host new Big South rival Longwood over the weekend.
