Camels defeat GWU 3-2; win series

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Brittany Bruce doubled to tie the game and scored the go-ahead run to lift Campbell to a 3-2 win over Gardner-Webb Saturday in Big South Conference softball action at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.

In front of a Senior Day crowd and worldwide ESPN3 audience, the Camels (23-25, 5-15) twice rallied from deficits to win the series with the Runnin' Bulldogs (12-29, 4-16).

Gardner-Webb took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth when Rachel Cumisky lined her seventh home run of the year over the left center field fence.

However, Summer Darnell (9-12) walked Katie Baker to lead off the Campbell sixth and Bruce lined a two-bagger to the gap in left center to tie the game. Bailey Bjorson singled home Bruce with what proved to be the winner on the next pitch.

Julia Callicutt (11-8) allowed one earned run on five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts to earn the complete-game win. Darnell surrendered all three runs on seven hits with two walks and two Ks in six and 1/3 innings.

Bruce and Callicutt (who sang the national anthem on Saturday) were two of Campbell's eight seniors honored in pre-game ceremonies. The Camels play one more home date – Wednesday's 4 p.m. doubleheader against NC Central – before closing the regular season May 1-2 at Presbyterian. Campbell hosts the Big South Championship May 7-10.

Gardner-Webb, which lost for the 12th time in its last 13 games, scratched an unearned run in the second inning when pinch-runner Megan Champion scored on a passed ball. However, the Camels drew even in the fifth on Camise Patterson's team-leading eighth home run of the season.

Bruce reached base all three times on the day, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Bjorson also had a pair of hits for the Camels, who won a league series for the first time this year.

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