Box Score BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Campbell came from behind to win it in ninth for the second straight day to pick up a 10-9 win and series sweep at Gardner-Webb. The Camels played the long ball all afternoon before a little small ball in the ninth proved to be the difference.
The win improves Campbell to 15-12, 5-1 in the Big South while the Runnin' Bulldogs fall to 10-19, 1-5 in the league.
The Camels have had a knack for late heroics this season, now with six wins when tied or trailing entering their final at-bat.
This time around, Campbell trailed 9-7 heading to the ninth. The first five batters of the inning reached, with
Logan Jordan reaching on a throwing error that allowed a pair of runs to score to tie the game. Three batters later,
Ty Babin delivered the game winner with a one-out single to score
Dylan Koontz and put Campbell up 10-9.
It was all big flies through the first eight innings for the Camels. The home run barrage started with a bang as
Jarrod Belbin lifted the second pitch of the game out beyond the right field wall for his fifth home run of the year, and the first leadoff shot by a Camel this season.
The surge continued for Campbell with two more home runs in the fourth inning by
Lawson Harrill and
Drake Pierson put Campbell up 4-0.
Gardner-Webb quickly tied the game up in the bottom of the same frame with a pair of doubles and home run from Trevor Mattson leveled the score at 4-4. The blast was one of two for Mattson on the day.
Belbin went yard again in the fifth to give him his second multi-home run game of the week after hitting three against Presbyterian a week ago. Harrill picked up his second blast with a shot to straightaway center in the seventh. Each of Campbell's first seven runs were scored via home run.
Amid the home runs, Gardner-Webb struck for another four-run inning in the sixth with three hits and two walks in the inning to lead 9-5 at the time.
Campbell starter
Aaron Rund worked 4.2 innings and allowed five runs without factoring into the decision. Garrett Kangas (1-0) earned his first career win after tossing a scoreless eighth inning.
Gardner-Webb's Gabe Pilla was tagged with the loss.
Harrill led the way at the plate for the Camels with his two home runs and reaching safely four times. Denning and Belbin had a pair of hits each.
Campbell wraps up its five-game road trip with a trip to Raleigh to face NC State on Tuesday night. First pitch at Doak Field is set for 6 p.m. That game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.