Clinton, S.C. – A six-run deficit proved too much to overcome as the Camels fell 7-6 to Presbyterian Friday afternoon. Campbell's bid for a ninth-inning comeback fell just short as the Camels plated five in the ninth, but couldn't draw even to extend the game.
Campbell drops to 19-12 and 14-8 in Big South play following the loss, while Presbyterian improves to 11-12 and 10-7 in the league.
The Camels trailed 7-1 heading to the ninth inning and pushed five runs across all with two outs. After
Matthew Christian reached on an error to lead off the frame two quick outs put Campbell in a tough spot. But the next five Camels reached, including a two-run double by
Zach Neto and a two-run single by
Spencer Packard, to make it a one run ballgame with the tying run on first base.
Collin Wolf was unable to keep the rally alive and grounded out to short to end it.
The offense had been hot lately, and was again in the ninth inning, but was held at bay by PC starter Charlie McDaniel for seven innings. The lefty worked 7.0 innings allowing just four hits and one run while striking out three.
A pair of unearned runs put the Blue Hose ahead in the first inning and for good. The lead extended to 4-0 on a two-run home run from Jeremiah Boyd and eventually grew to 7-1.
Campbell's only run prior to the ninth inning came on a solo shot from
Connor Denning to lead off the fourth. His seventh of the year to ties
Matthew Christian's team high.
The Camels left eight runners on base during the evening and had two more thrown out on the base paths.
Three Camels had multi-hit nights led by
Spencer Packard's 2-5 with two RBI. With those two RBIs, Packard becomes the first Camel to eclipse the 40-RBI mark this season. Denning and
Bryce Arnold each had two hits apiece on the night.
Campbell starter
Cade Kuehler was tagged with his first loss of the year and is now 3-1 on the season. Kuehler finished with a line of 3.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB and 5 Ks.
The series is scheduled to conclude with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m. There is a threat of rain in the area for most of the day tomorrow, so stay tuned right here on GoCamels.com and @GoCamelsBSB on Twitter and Instagram if anything changes.
