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LEXINGTON, VA. – Held to one hit through eight innings, Campbell rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to come from behind and top VMI 3-2 Saturday at Gray-Minor Stadium.
The Camels clinch the Big South series with the win, taking Friday night's opener 6-2 behind nine strikeouts from Heath Bowers and two RBI from Steven Leonard.
The Camels moved to 33-16 on the season and 16-7 in Big South games, while VMI fell to 22-21 overall and 9-13 in conference play.
After a rain delay in the middle of the eighth that lasted 1:09, Bobby Thorson sat the Keydets down in order in the bottom of the frame, striking out two.
In the top of the ninth, Danny Pardo led off with a walk and Steven Leonard followed with a hit by pitch, putting Camels on first and second with none out.
Matt Nadolski, who'd picked up Campbell's lone hit of the night with a double in the first, smacked one into the right-center gap for his second double of the night, scoring Pardo from second and tying the game.
Kyle Leady lifted one to deep center for a sacrifice fly put the Camels in the lead, plating Leonard. Will Albertson's base hit to right tacked on another run for CU, giving the Camels three runs in the frame and a 3-1 lead.
VMI threatened in the bottom of the ninth with Matt Winn leading off the stanza with a double. After a fly out and a bunt single from Will Malbon, the Keydets had runners on first and third with one out.
Next up, Tyler Tharp drove in a run on a RBI fielder's choice before David Geary flied out to left, ending the game.
Bobby Thorson (3-5) picked up the win in relief, going 1 2/3 with two strikeouts, while Ryan Thompson earned his 14th save.
Campbell starter Hector Cedano went 6 1/3 with a run on eight hits, striking out five while walking three.
Jonathan Kelley (1-1) was charged with the loss, surrendering three runs on a hit with a walk.
Connor Bach allowed just a hit in eight scoreless innings for VMI, fanning nine with four walks. Bach retired 14 of 16 Camels from the third through the eighth, striking out his final two batters with a runner on in the eighth.
Berkley Hawkins and Campbell Henkel combined for the final inning, allowing a hit apiece.
VMI broke through in the bottom of the fifth, giving the game it's only run until the ninth.
Tanner Dofflemyer doubled with one out, and with two away in the frame, an intentional walk followed by an infield hit loaded the bases for the Keydets. Cameron Walter then walked, pushing Dofflemyer home for the game's first score.
Campbell turned two double plays in the win, one in the second and another in the seventh behind Cedano and Thorson, respectively.
Winn went 4-for-4 with a run for the Keydets, while Nadolski's pair of doubles paced Campbell at the dish.
The series will wrap up tomorrow at 2 p.m.
The Camels return to Buies Creek for their final home contest on Tuesday, May 13, hosting UNC Wilmington. Campbell finishes out the regular season next weekend at Coastal Carolina.
