BUIES CREEK, NC – Campbell dropped the series opener 6-1 to USC Upstate Friday night. The Camels tallied just four hits on the night and couldn't take advantage of a couple of key moments with runners in scoring position to climb back into it.
 
Upstate starter Jordan Marks was solid on the mound all night for the Spartans and held the Camels to just three hits across 7.0 innings of work while fanning 10.
 
Upstate jumped out to a quick lead with a leadoff triple and single to center to give them a 1-0 advantage after only two batters. They added another run in the second on a solo home run down the left field line.
 
After giving up runs in each of the first two innings, Campbell's starter Ryan Chasse worked a pair of three-up three-down innings in the next two frames. He ran into more trouble when he loaded the bases with one out in the fourth. Jack Yusko allowed one to score on a sac fly, but escaped the inning with just the one run.
 
Trailing 5-0, Campbell threatened to get back into it in the eighth by loading the bases with just one out and the heart of the order due up. Collin Wolf was hit by a pitch to plate a run, but a strikeout and a fielder's choice ended the inning to kill the threat with Campbell still down by four.
 
Upstate added one more insurance run in the top of the ninth to round out the scoring in the 6-1 final.
 
Waldy Arias had a solid night at the plate reaching five times. He had two hits, two walks, a hit by pitch and scored the Camels' only run of the night.
 
Logan Heintzman had a solid relief outing, going 3.0 innings and allowing two hits, no runs and striking out three.
 
These two teams return to Jim Perry Stadium tomorrow for a double-header. First pitch of game one is set for 2 p.m. Both games will be available on ESPN+.