RALEIGH, N.C. – Matthew Barefoot launched a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the ninth as Campbell pulled the upset over No. 5 NC State 5-4 Wednesday night at Doak Field at Dail Park.
Facing a full count against Wolfpack reliever Joe O'Donnell, Barefoot (1-for-3, R, HR, RBI) lifted a hanging slider over the left field wall to put CU up 5-4. It was the fourth homer of the season for the redshirt sophomore outfielder from Dunn, N.C.
Wednesday's victory over NC State was Campbell's first win over a ranked opponent since May 15, 2015, when the Camels defeated No. 25 Coastal Carolina 5-2. It also marked the first time NC State lost a midweek game this season.
Senior right-hander
Harry Thomas (3-0) was credited with the win, as the Washington, D.C. native recorded the third out in the bottom of the eighth with a swinging strikeout. Campbell closer
Tyson Messer held the Wolfpack off the board in the ninth to pick up his seventh save of the year.
O'Donnell (0-2) took the loss for NC State. Barefoot's go-ahead bomb was just the second run allowed this season by the Wolfpack reliever.
Redshirt-senior outfielder
Bryce Myers (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI) logged his eighth multi-hit outing of the season, collecting two singles for the Camels.
Tyler Anshaw (1-for-3, 2 RBI) posted a two-RBI single, while
Jeff Hahs (1-for-4, 2 R) and
Luis Gimenez (1-for-3) each added hits for the Camels.
Senior righty
Wes Noble went 5.2 innings as the Campbell starter, allowing one earned run on five hits with three punchouts in the no-decision.
Campbell (24-18) got on the board first with two runs in the top of the fourth. After Hahs and Myers reached on singles to left field, both runners moved to second and third on a wild pitch from NC State starter Mathieu Gauthier. Anshaw stepped up and delivered a single to right to score both runners and put the Camels up 2-0.
NC State (31-12) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth, as pinch hitter Brad Debo (1-for-1, RBI) dropped an RBI single into shallow left field, scoring Terrell Tatum (2-for-3, 2 R) to make it 2-1.
The Wolfpack tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single from leadoff man Josh McLain (1-for-5, RBI), scoring Tatum.
Myers helped the Camels retake the lead with an RBI single in the top of the eighth. The Chesapeake, Va. native roped a hit into right field that brought Hahs home. After reaching third on a fielding error, Myers came home on a wild pitch to give Campbell a 4-2 advantage.
The Wolfpack responded with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Shane Shepard (0-for-0, RBI) notched a sac fly to deep center field before Brock Deatherage (0-for-4, R) came home on a wild pitch to tie the game.
Barefoot's solo shot scored the final run of the night as Campbell took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth. Messer entered in the bottom half to close it out, allowing a leadoff double from Brett Kinneman (1-for-3) and surrendering two walks to load the bases. With one out on the board and three runners aboard, the right-hander from Lillington, N.C. posted a strikeout on a high heater before forcing a groundout to second to end the game.
Up next, the Camels are set to host a pivotal Big South series against the High Point Panthers. The three-game set is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, May 4-6 at Jim Perry Stadium in Buies Creek.
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