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BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Trailing by three at the stretch, Campbell rallied for five runs over its next two at bats to top North Carolina A&T 10-8 Friday night at Jim Perry Stadium.
Campbell moved to 9-10 overall with the series opening win, while A&T dipped to 4-15. The series continues Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
The Aggies led 8-5 after Dawnoven Smith's one out RBI single in the top of the seventh.
In the home half of the frame, Campbell put runners on second and third with two away before Adam Wyse's infield hit scored Brian Taylor, who led off the inning with a hit by pitch. Matt Parrish then brought the Camels within a run, swiping home on a double steal to make it 8-7.
In the bottom of the eighth and runners on first and second with one out, Brian Taylor singled in Junior Snow, and an Aggie error allowed Anthony Lopez to score, giving the Camels a 9-8 lead. Another A&T miscue kept the inning alive and allowed Taylor to score, making it 10-8 Camels.
Erik Dowse, who entered the game with one out in the seventh, struck out the side in the top of the ninth to secure the win. Dowse (1-0) earned the win in relief, working 2 2/3, allowing just a hit and a walk with five strikeouts.
Leon Hunter (0-2) took the loss, allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits with three strikeouts in two innings. A&T starter Tevelle Clark surrendered five runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and four walks.
Campbell starter Nick Thayer pitched 6 1/3 with eight runs on 14 hits with three punchouts.
Parrish went 1-for-4 with two RBI and two runs, knocking in runs in the first and the third. Snow went 3-for-5 with a RBI and two runs for the Camels.
Myles Sowell and Keenan Herring both drove in two for the Aggies in the loss.
The Camels will be on the road next week, heading to North Carolina Central on Tuesday, March 22, before kicking off Big South play at Charleston Southern March 24-26.
For tickets to all Campbell home games, please visit GoCamels.com.
