FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Campbell picked up its third consecutive win with a 7-2 victory over Ohio State in the first game of the All-American Classic at Fayetteville's Segra Stadium. Another strong start from
Thomas Harrington set the tone and gave the offense time to break out in the middle innings to pull away.
The win pushes Campbell to 4-6 on the season while Ohio State drops to 3-6. The win is the second of the week over a "Power 5" school, and the third in a row with Campbell wearing its all black jerseys.
Harrington shined again, this time tossing 7.0 innings and fanning 11. The sophomore has now struck out at least nine in all three starts this season. He entered the night fifth in the nation in strikeouts, a mark likely to improve after another double-digit performance. He retired the final 10 batters he faced on the evening and finished with a final line of 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 Ks to earn his second win.
Left-hander
Jake Murray finished the game for the Camels and collected three strikeouts of his own over the final two innings. His only blemish was a two-out solo home run in the ninth inning.
The Buckeyes got on the board in the top of the first on a first-and-third delayed steal situation that allowed the runner on third to scamper home before the tag was applied. Harrington settled in after that and did not allow another run.
Grant Knipp evened the score with a solo home run in the third, his first hit and home run of the season. Campbell added three more the following inning with a bases loaded walk followed by a two-run single from pinch-hitter
Tyler McPeak. The Camels scored for the third straight frame in the fifth on a
Drake Pierson RBI single.
The Campbell scoring was capped with two insurance runs in the eighth scoring via error and an RBI single from
Connor Denning.
The eight Camel hits were scattered over seven players, with Knipp having the only multi-hit game.
Ohio State's starter, Isaiah Coupet, was tagged with the loss. He was the first of four Buckeye pitchers on the evening and lasted 3.2 innings while surrendering four runs.
The Camels return to Segra Stadium tomorrow to face Army at 5 p.m.
Cade Kuehler is expected to take the mound for Campbell.
