ELON, N.C. – Campbell's rally fell just short Sunday afternoon, as they dropped a 13-12 decision to Elon at Latham Park.
Campbell (19-8, 3-3 CAA) trailed 9-0 and 11-3 in the game but scored multiple runs in each of the final four innings in the effort, capped by a five-run showing in the top of the ninth inning.
Elon (11-16, 1-5) opened the scoring in the second inning. After the Phoenix loaded the bases with no outs, Tanner Holliman drew a walk to score the first run. Kenny Mallory Jr. then grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Alex Duffey.
Elon added four more in the third with three RBI singles from Duffey, James Broderick, and Mallory Jr.
Starter Cy Cox went 2.1 innings before being relieved by Jeremy Wiegman.
The Phoenix scored for the third consecutive inning with a three-run homer by Duffey in the fourth, making the score 9-0 in favor of Elon.
Nate Brittain came out of the bullpen to begin the fifth inning. He went 2.0 innings and allowed just two hits with one strikeout.
After a scoreless fifth inning for both teams, the Fighting Camels scored their first runs in the sixth with a two-RBI single from Charlie Meglio. With the bases loaded, he hit a ground ball through the right side, scoring Lawson Harrill and Dalen Thompson. The next batter, Braeden O'Shaughnessy, hit a sac fly to deep right field to bring home Andrew Schuldt.
Elon added another two runs in the sixth off the bat of Vince Fattore and his two-RBI triple that passed just over third base and into the corner in left field.
The Camels scored multiple runs again in the seventh, thanks to a two-RBI single from Reed Stallman to center, scoring Harrill and Thompson.
Elon again answered with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. Charlie Granatell hit an RBI double off the wall in left to score Broderick. Ryan Sprock then hit a sac fly, scoring Mallory Jr.
Sprock also started on the mound for the Phoenix. He went 5.0 innings, allowing only two hits for the Camels in his first victory of the year.
In the eighth inning, Peyton Bonds knocked his second home run of the weekend out to left for a two-run shot. That was followed by a scoreless bottom of the inning pitched by Packy Bradley-Cooney.
The Camels continued their scoring run in the ninth inning. Schuldt and Meglio got on base to lead off the inning with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. O'Shaughnessy singled to left, scoring Schuldt. Chandler Riley then drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.
Bonds grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, but Meglio came in to score and O'Shaughnessy advanced to third. He would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it a three-run deficit. Max Weller, who had previously pinch-hit for Payton Howard, drew the two-out walk.
Harrill was next up to bat, and with a 1-2 count hit his 11th home run of the season to make it a one-run game. Thompson singled to put the tying run at first base, but the game ended on a called strike three to Stallman.
UP NEXT
Campbell will take on Charlotte this Tuesday at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville. The game will begin at 6:00, and you can listen to the action on The Varsity Network.
Follow the Camels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-date information and content throughout the year.
