BUIES CREEK, NC - A big day on offense propelled the Camels to an 11-2 win and helped them take the series from Dayton (1-5). Campbell (4-2) scored in six of the eight innings they came to the plate to keep consistent pressure on Dayton's pitchers and continued to steadily grow the lead throughout the game.
Connor Denning led the way at the plate, going 4-5 with two RBI and three runs scored on the afternoon. Denning, batting in the two-spot in the order, wasted no time helping the Camels get on the board. After
Waldy Arias knocked a leadoff double and swiped third, Denning singled to right to put the Camels up 1-0.
Dayton got the run back to even things up in the third on a sac fly, but Campbell responded by putting up two more runs in the bottom of the frame to retake the lead for good. Campbell added one more in the fourth and another in the fifth to make it a 5-1 ballgame.
The Camels blew it open in the sixth with a five-spot in the frame. It was nothing too fancy, but five singles in the inning, two stolen bases and a handful of wild pitches helped the Camels bat around and push the score to 10-2 by the time the inning was over. Dayton used five pitchers in the inning, and all but one were tagged for a run.
The offense wasn't quite over, as
Connor Denning added one more in the seventh, taking the first pitch of the inning out to left for a solo shot, his second of the year, to make it 11-2.
Jonathan Beymer started on the mound for the Camels and allowed just one run and three hits in 4.0 innings pitched.
Logan Heintzman worked two innings in relief after Beymer and was credited with the win. Freshmen
Cade Kuehler,
Aaron Rund and
Cameron O'Brien all tossed an inning as well.
Arias,
Collin Wolf and
Bryce Arnold all had multi-hit games as well. Arnold made his first career start this afternoon and notched his first two career hits in the process.
Campbell now faces its first quick turnaround of the season ahead of its first midweek action. The Camels will travel up the road to face NC State on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Doak Field. That game will be available on the ACC Network.
