RALEIGH, N.C. – Campbell softball dropped both games of its non-conference doubleheader Wednesday evening at NC State. In game one, Campbell fell 8-5 while game two only took six innings as NC State scored in walk-off fashion to claim the 9-1 win.
Katie Baker went 4-for-6 on the evening, scoring three runs of her own. She also extended her hitting streak and reached base streak to five games, the second longest of the season for her.
Game one: Campbell 5, NC State 8
Despite outhitting the Wolfpack, 11-9, the Fighting Camels dropped game one 8-5 inside Dail Stadium. The loss marks the first loss on the season when Campbell outhits its opponent, previously 14-0. The Wolfpack scored four in the bottom of the first inning, which gave them enough run to hold on for the game one win.
Amber Schisler started the game off quickly for Campbell, connecting on her 12th home run of the season, giving Campbell an early 1-0 lead. The home run was her first since March 13 at Longwood, in which she hit two home runs in Campbell's 10-4 loss. NC State tacked on four runs in the bottom half of the inning, including a three-run home run off the bat of Hannah Yeager.
Neither team added their score total in the second, but Campbell was able to trim the lead by one in the third, as they scored a pair of runs. Melissa Tullar drove in Rachel McCollum from third, cutting the lead to 4-2. One batter later, Caroline Smith doubled to the right centerfield wall, scoring Baker and pulling Campbell to within one, 4-3. NC State added one in the bottom half, increasing the lead to 5-3 on Meredith Burroughs solo home run.
The Wolfpack added one run in the bottom of the fourth as Tyler Ross tripled down the right field line, scoring Alyssa Compton. Campbell got one back in the top of the sixth courtesy of Taesha DuBoise's RBI single to left field, scoring Madison Casto. NC State hit its third home run of the game, a two-run homer to give the home side an 8-4 advantage. After NC State loaded the bases, Schisler shut down the side with a groundout to end the inning.
The Fighting Camels scored once in the top half of the seventh inning, a Smith RBI single to right field, but they were unable to draw any closer, falling in game one against the in-state foe.
Baker was tabbed with the loss, dropping to 6-9 in the season, pitching 4 1/3 innings, striking out four and giving up six runs. Courtney Mirabella went six innings in the win despite giving up nine hits and four earned runs.
Game two: Campbell 1, NC State 9 (F/6)
NC State limited Campbell to one run and two hits in game two, including zero hits for the final five innings of the contest to earn the six inning win for the ACC member. Campbell drops to 19-22 on the season while NC State moves to 19-24 on the year.
Similar to game one, Campbell scratched the board in the top of the first inning. After Baker and Schisler reached based, Tullar connected on a sacrifice fly to give Campbell a 1-0 lead. Despite getting the bases loaded, Campbell was unable to add to its run total for the inning, taking a 1-0 lead after the top half of the first inning. NC State tied the game at 1-1 by way of a bases loaded walk with two outs.
The Wolfpack struck for four runs in the bottom of the second to claim a 5-1 advantage against the Camels. After walking the first two batters, Courtney Roberts was replaced by Schisler in the circle with zero outs. Following a groundout, Schisler walked the next two batters and tossed an errant pitch, plating two for the home side. Three batters later, Maggie Hawkins hit a RBI single, increasing the lead to 5-1 for NC State.
With a four-run lead, NC State struck for three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Three solo home runs in four batters including back-to-back from Ross and Lana Van Dyken to take an 8-1 lead. The Wolfpack clinched the win in the sixth inning as Ross hit a RBI single through the left side, taking game two 9-1.
Roberts took the loss her seventh of the season, going 3 1/3 innings and giving up six runs. Brittany Nimmo earned the win, her fourth of the campaign in five innings of two hit work.
Campbell returns to action Friday at Liberty for a Big South doubleheader on ESPN3, beginning at 5 p.m. Game three will commence Saturday at 1 p.m.
