BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell had two runners in scoring position with two outs in the eighth but could not score a run, falling to Northern Kentucky, 5-4, in extra innings on day three of the Campbell Invitational at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.

The Camels fall to 5-4 on the season, including a 2-2 ledger at home, while Northern Kentucky improved to 2-2. The Norse outlasted Bucknell, 3-2, in the first game of the day for their first win of the 2018 campaign.

CU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, as Madison Herring scored her eighth run of the season. The Kinston, N.C., native got on base with a lead-off walk, stole second, advanced to third off a fly out and scored off a fielder's choice to second base.

Northern Kentucky responded with three runs in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead over the Camels. NKU loaded the bases following one walk and two batters that were hit by a pitch. A fourth walk by Haley Hutchins scored Hailey Whitmer to knot the game up at 1-1. On the next play, Isabell Alexander singled to center field to score Ava Lawson and Zahrya McFarland.

The Norse were threatening to add more with the bases loaded and one out, but a double play by the Campbell defense ended the offensive flurry.

NKU tacked on another run in the fifth inning to take a three run lead at 4-1. Whitmer reached base due to a fielding error and was brought home off of a double to right center field by Lawson.

Campbell battled back in the sixth, adding on two more runs to cut Northern Kentucky's lead to one run headed into the final inning of regulation. Katie Manring scored off a double to center field by Haydn Parker and Hannah McCravy was brought home off of a sacrifice fly by Cassie Wancheck.

In the seventh, the Camels tacked on a run to tie it at 4-4 and force extra innings at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium. CU had the winning run on first plate, but a fly out ended the inning.

The Norse scored one run in the eighth inning of play to bring the game to the final score of 5-4. Toree Stalter hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Taylor Brummell. CU had two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth, but two consecutive outs ended the comeback attempt. 

Taylor Ginther (1-1) picked up the victory for Northern Kentucky, after pitching three innings in relief and only allowing three hits and one run. Faith Howard started for the Norse, pitching five innings and allowing three Camel runs.

Lexy Head (1-2) was charged with the loss, as she conceded one run after the Camels tied it up in the seventh. She pitched six innings for the home squad, while Hutchins, the starting pitcher, was in the circle for two innings.

The Camels will conclude the Campbell Invitational against James Madison on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium. For the latest information about Campbell softball, make sure to follow @GoCamelsSB on Twitter.