NORFOLK, Va. — Matthew Barefoot launched the go-ahead solo home run in the top of ninth to put the Fighting Camels ahead 3-2, but Old Dominion scored two in the bottom of the ninth to win its eight-straight game 4-2 on Tuesday afternoon at the Bud Metheney Baseball Complex.
Barefoot sent a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall to push the Camels ahead in the final inning. Campbell closer Tyson Messer was called in to close out the game but allowed back-to-back walks before Wyatt Tyson was motioned in. A double down the left field line tied the score at 2-2 before just three batters later, a bases-loaded RBI single to right earned ODU the walk-off victory.
Messer was dealt the loss, giving up the two earned runs in the ninth. Hunter Gregory collected the win, tossing the final 2.2 innings, while striking out four and allowing just two hits.
Barefoot (2-for-5, RBI) also added a double in the fifth inning, good for his fifth multi-hit game of the season. Six other Camels had base hits, all singles; Campbell finished the day with nine hits.
Junior lefty Kevin Westlake got the starting nod for the third time this season and went 4.2 innings, his longest outing as a Camel; he struck out two and issued two walks. He was pulled after a hit by pitch in the fifth as pitching coach Chris Marx brought out righty Jonathan Tyler. Just two pitches later, Campbell backstop Zach Minnick threw out a base runner trying to steal second, Minnick's Big South-leading fifth runner caught stealing this season. A fly out to left ended the frame.
Both teams were held scoreless until the fifth inning. Campbell went ahead 2-0 after a Tyler Anshaw infield single, Matthew Christian hit by pitch and a walk by AJ Hrica loaded the bases for Minnick. The senior delivered a 2-RBI single through the right side, scoring Anshaw and Christian.
ODU responded right back in the sixth by also loading the bases by way of a pair of walks and a single. A one-out RBI single cut the lead in half before a sacrifice fly into right field tied the score at 2-2.
The Monarchs threatened to take the lead in the seventh after moving two into scoring position with two away, but for the second-straight inning Logan Heintzman ended the frame by painting the outside corner with a curveball. Landry Moore pitched a scoreless frame in the eighth by fanning one before getting a flyout and groundout.
Campbell and Old Dominion rematch Wednesday afternoon, March 6 at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
