BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell baseball fell in the series opener to Rider, 4-3, Friday afternoon at Jim Perry Stadium.
 
The Broncs (1-0) were powered by two separate two-run home runs that bookended the game.
 
Joe Tiroly hit the first home run in the top of the first inning over the left field wall to give the Broncs the early lead.
 
The Camels (1-4) scored in three separate innings, unable to string together enough production to secure the win.
 
After giving up two hits in the first, Jake Murray provided a solid presence on the mound. His finished line included 6.0 innings, three hits, eight strikeouts, one walk and one hit batter.
 
CU scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double from Darnell Parker Jr. to score Joey Morton.
 
The Camels tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. With runners at the corners, Charlie Meglio took off from first before the pitcher released the pitch. He threw to second, and that's when Dalen Thompson broke for home.
 
Thompson instigated a rundown, and he evaded the tag at home to score the run. Meglio ended up at third base because of the action.
 
Peyton Brown and Ethan Snyder provided solid work out of the bullpen to keep the game tied heading into the ninth. Snyder allowed a leadoff single to Kyle Neri to start the ninth, then forced a flyout before being replaced by Drew Siegner.
 
Nick Shuhet took Siegner's first pitch over the wall in left for the second two-run home run for the Broncs, giving them a 4-2 lead heading to the bottom of the ninth.
 
Jonah Oster began the frame for the Camels with a leadoff home run, his first of the year. Meglio followed with a double to left center, putting the tying run on second with no outs.
 
Andrew Keller came to the plate as a pinch hitter, and he laced a line drive 97 miles an hour directly at the first baseman for out number one. Meglio advanced to third on an ensuing wild pitch, but the final two batters would strike out, stranding him.
 
Throughout the game, Campbell left 14 runners on base compared to just four for Rider.
 
UP NEXT
The Camels and Broncs continue their series tomorrow at 3:00 at Jim Perry Stadium. It's a Canned Food Drive at JPS, and fans can bring in three canned goods in exchange for a free ticket to the Hump and lawn area.
 
Attendance: 635  
 
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