SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Campbell baseball opened the year with a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Santa Barbara, Friday night at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
 
The Camels (0-1) were limited offensively to just one hit, and the Gauchos (1-0) scored five earned runs to give them the Opening Day victory.
 
Andrew Schuldt recorded the lone hit for the Camels, a double in the fourth inning. Santa Barbara was powered by a two-run home run in the third off the bat of Jack Holman over the right field wall, which gave them a 3-0 lead at the time.
 
The Gauchos added a fourth run in the fifth on an RBI triple by Jonathan Mendez into the right field corner.
 
Jake Murray got the start for the Camels, and he recorded 3.1 innings with five strikeouts and one walk with two earned runs. Peyton Brown threw four innings in relief, striking out four while forcing five ground outs.
 
Campbell scored their run in the top of the eighth. After his teammates drew a walk and two hit-by-pitches, Schuldt drew the third HBP of the inning with the bases loaded to bring home a run.
 
Santa Barbara added two more runs in the bottom of the frame to pad their lead once again, and the Camels were unable to create more offense in the ninth inning.
 
AJ Krodel earned the win for the Gauchos, and Cole Tryba recorded a save.
 
UP NEXT
The series continues tomorrow, Saturday, at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 ET, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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