NEWARK, DEL - Campbell completed a series sweep over Delaware to claim the Coastal Athletic Association regular season crown Friday night at the Delaware Softball Diamond. The Camels won the first game 1-0 and the second game 5-2.
It marks the fourth straight season the Camels have won a conference regular season title after winning three straight Big South championships before joining the CAA.
Campbell extends its winning streak to seven games and are 16-2 in its last 18 games, outscoring foes 93-23 in that span.
Game One - Campbell def. Delaware 1-0
Isabella Smith tossed a two-hit shutout and the Campbell offense did just enough to earn a 1-0 win in game one of Friday's doubleheader.
Smith finished with a final line of 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K. The two hits were scattered with one in the first and another in the seventh, as she retired 14 of 15 batters in the second through sixth innings, issuing just one HBP during the stretch.
Campbell threatened in the first with runners on the corners with nobody out, but couldn't cash in for an early run.
The Camels finally broke open the scoring in the top of the fifth. Savannah White laid down a one-out bunt single and moved to second on a Henault HBP. A ground out pushed both runners into scoring position, which proved big as White scampered home on a wild pitch for what turned out to be the game's only run.
With Delaware down to its final out and Smith seemingly cruising, a fly ball landed just inside the right field line and just beyond the reach of Swiney's glove for a two-out triple and getting the tying run at third to create some late drama.
Smith picked up the biggest of her eight strikeouts of the day and sat the final batter down looking to secure the 1-0 victory.
Smith picked up her 200th strikeout of the season, and 600th of her career, during the contest, her second straight season with 200 Ks. The junior advances to 23-6 on the season.
Game Two - Campbell def. Delaware 5-2
Campbell held off Delaware in the final inning to complete the sweep and clinch the CAA regular season title.
The Camels opened the scoring by plating four runs in the top of the second. Charlie Montgomery singled to left field to drive in the first run. Swiney laid down a bunt back to the pitcher giving Makayla McClain enough time to beat the throw home. On the same play, Montgomery took off for home after the catcher attempted to throw out Swiney at second. Henault drove in the final run on a hit to left field.
The Blue Hens threatened in the bottom half of the second by putting a runner on third before Delaney McDilda caught a line drive and tagged the runner to complete an unassisted double play to end the inning.
Campbell added another run in the fifth after a throwing error on Delaware's third baseman allowed McClain to score.
Delaware eventually answered in the bottom of the seventh as pinch hitter Olivia Marinucci knocked in two runs with one out. Smith reentered the game and earned the save after forcing a pop out and striking out the final batter.
Hannah Leierer struck out three batters and picked up the win in the circle after replacing Smith in the top of the fourth.
Smith completed the series with a final line of 17.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 18 K.
Campbell will be the top seed for the CAA Tournament next week in Wilmington, N.C. with its first game set for noon on Thursday, May 9.
