BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell softball tied the longest game length in program history, going 13 innings in a 4-3 loss in game one against UNCW. The Fighting Camels took game two of the doubleheader, shutting out the Seahawks 4-0, holding the opposition to five hits.
Game one: Campbell 3, UNCW 4 (F/13)
For the first time since 1997 Campbell softball played into the 13th inning. Tuesday's game one of the non-conference doubleheader against UNCW went to the sixth extra inning with CU falling 4-3. Katie Baker pitched 12 of the 13 innings and Caroline Smith went 4-for-6 at the plate during the contest.
UNCW started of the scoring in the second inning courtesy of a Rachel Willis RBI single, scoring Tracy Haynes from third. Haynes served as the pinch runner for Nella Chamblee, who drew a walk in her opening at-bat. The Seahawks scored twice more as Lauren Moore doubled to left field, scoring both runners on the base path.
Campbell answered back with a pair of runs in bottom half of the inning, to trim the deficit to one run. After Chandler Patterson singled to right field, she advanced to second on the next batter's groundout. The following batter, Caroline Smith, hit a home run over the scoreboard in left field, cutting the lead to 3-2.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of fifth inning when Campbell scored the game-tying run. After Smith singled and advanced to second on the next batter's groundout, Baker hit a RBI single, advancing to second on the throw home. The game remained scoreless until the top of the 13th inning.
The best opportunity for either team came in the bottom of the 11th when Campbell loaded the bases with zero outs on the board. The next two hitters hit into fielder's choices, including an inning ending double play to the third baseman to end the threat.
In the top of the 13th inning, with one out, UNCW's Hannah Adamczyk hit a RBI-single to left centerfield, allowing Kali Jones to score from second base and giving the Seahawks a 4-3 advantage. Campbell earned a pair of baserunners in the bottom half of the inning, but it was unable to plate a run to tie the game.
Baker took the loss, her seventh of the season in 12 innings of work. She struck out 12 batters, while only walking two. Peyton Jordan earned the win in relief in 8 2/3 innings of work, striking out four batters. The contest was the fourth game on the year in Division I to go at least 13 innings, with UNCW having the longest game, going 15 innings against Columbia earlier in the season.
Game two: Campbell 4, UNCW 0
Campbell was able to keep the bats rolling into game two of the doubleheader, scoring four runs and limiting the Seahawk offense to five hits in the contest.
The Fighting Camels started the second game with three quick runs in the top of the first inning. Baker and Taesha DuBoise singled in the first two at-bats of the inning. Following, Rachel McCollum drew an eight-pitch walk, loading the bases for Melissa Tullar. Three pitches into the at-bat, Tullar took a 1-1 pitch to outfield, a base clearing double and giving Campbell a 3-0 lead.
Neither team gained more than one hit in an inning until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Campbell increased its lead to 4-0. With the bases loaded and two outs, McCollum singled to right field, scoring Baker from second base and widening the margin on the scoreboard.
In the circle, Courtney Roberts and Amber Schisler were able to limit the Seahawks to one hit in the final three innings to secure the victory for Campbell. Roberts earned the win, her sixth of the season, going five innings allowing only four hits and striking out three. Sarah Davis took the loss for UNCW, pitching three innings, giving up three earned runs and striking out three.
Campbell returns to action Friday at 4 p.m. to take on Presbyterian College in a doubleheader inside Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
