BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Fighting Camels won their third-straight ranked win, and fourth consecutive one-run victory over East Carolina, as Grant Knipp earned the save Tuesday night at a capacity Jim Perry Stadium.

The Camels, who now sit at 3-1, gave the Pirates (3-1) their first loss of the season. All three of Campbell's wins have been over ranked opponents, beating previously ranked No. 17 UCSB twice last weekend.

Knipp, who came in for the ninth inning, recorded a ground out, a strikeout and a flyout during his collegiate pitching debut. He did so after catching the previous eight innings for the Camels.

He also led the Camels from the plate, launching a three-run homer 389 feet to right field in the third inning to give them a 3-0 lead. He then recorded a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.

Dylan Koontz followed Knipp in the fifth with an RBI single to make the lead 5-2.

ECU would come back and score the next four runs to take a 6-5 lead. Carter Cunningham doubled in the seventh to drive home Ryley Johnson and Nathan Chrimson.

In the eighth, the Pirates scored on a bunt single with the bases loaded from Chrimson. Johnson would then reach on a fielder's choice to give the Pirates the 6-5 advantage.

The Camels responded in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Chandler Riley hit a double in to left center. Braeden O'Shaughnessy walked, and Riley advanced to third on a wild pitch. O'Shaughnessy stole second, and the catcher's throw was off target, allowing Riley to score and O'Shaughnessy to advance to third.

Trenton Harris had a hard-hit ball to third, which bounced off the third baseman's glove before the shortstop could corral it and throw Harris out at first. The damage was done, as O'Shaughnessy scored what would be the winning run.

The Pirates began the ninth against Knipp with a single through the left side. A sacrifice bunt from Bristol Carter advanced the runner to second, but Knipp completed the 1-3 putout. He then struck out Dixon Williams.

Knipp would walk Luke Nowak before forcing Justin Wilcoxen to fly out to left field, where Max Weller was waiting to snag the final out. Jackson Roberts (1-0) was awarded the win, and Jaden Winter (0-1) was given the loss.

1,445 people were in attendance to see the Camel victory, which ranks second all-time at Jim Perry Stadium (1,563 vs. ECU 2/22/17).

UP NEXT

The Camels host their second weekend series of the season, as they welcome Ohio University to Buies Creek. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., and the first two games will be broadcast on FloSports.

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