BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell's comeback effort fell just short in the 11^th inning against Gardner-Webb, falling 11-9 late Tuesday night at Jim Perry Stadium.
 
Nick Capozzi's three-RBI triple in the top of the 11^th proved to be the difference-maker for the Runnin' Bulldogs (16-22), who also had a six-run eighth inning to force the comeback effort.
 
The Camels (15-21) tied the game with a bases-loaded infield single with two outs in the ninth inning from Dalen Thompson, then they had the game-winning run on first base in the 10^th and at the plate in the 11^th but were unable to bring it around.
 
Thompson brought another run in for Campbell in the bottom of the 11^th with a fielder's choice RBI to second base and the bases loaded. With runners on the corners and two outs, Charlie Meglio sent a well-hit ball to center field, but the defender was there to make the grab.
 
GWU used 10 total pitchers, and the win went to Jack Iannibelli (2-1). Campbell used nine pitchers on the night, and Will Palmer (0-1) was credited with the loss in his first decision of the year after allowing Capozzi's triple and the three preceding baserunners.
 
Each starter went 2.0 innings for their squad. David Rossow allowed no hits, with two strikeouts and one walk to face just one over the minimum. Gavin Schmitt allowed one hit and two walks, but he prevented any damage in the early innings.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs did a significant amount of damage with six runs in the top of the eighth inning. Pitcher Jett Music allowed a single and two walks to load the bases with one out before being replaced by Bryce Schares.
 
Schares's first batter was Tanner Thomas, and he blooped a single down the line in right field that scored two runs. Another run came in to score on a bunt-single from pinch hitter Gavin Johnson, and two more scored on a single up the middle from Merik Carter.
 
Carter advanced to third on a groundout then scored on a passed ball for the final run of the frame, putting Gardner-Webb up 8-3 in the middle of the eighth.
 
The Camels bounced back with four runs of their own in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to one. After the first batter struck out, Lukas Schramm, Ben Karpowicz and Joe Simpson each worked a walk to load the bases for Thompson. He sent a single through the left side of the infield to score two runs.
 
A wild pitch advanced the remaining two baserunners, then Meglio was hit by a pitch to load the bases yet again for Andrew Schuldt. He also sent a single through the left side to score two runs.
 
Nick Biasi pitched two shutout innings in the ninth and 10^th for the Camels, recording four strikeouts while allowing only one baserunner in the two frames. Jackson Roberts also allowed no hits when he pitched the third and fourth innings. He had two strikeouts on the day.
 
CU was first on the board thanks to a two-RBI single from Schuldt in the third inning. The Bulldogs answered with a two-RBI single of their own in the fifth inning off the bat of Ethan Liao.
 
Campbell took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI double to the wall in right center from Meglio, which scored Thompson from first.
 
Campbell committed six errors on the night, but just one run for Gardner-Webb was unearned.
 
UP NEXT
Campbell is back on the road for another CAA series on the weekend. This time, the team travels to Williamsburg, Va., to take on William & Mary Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All three games will be streamed on FloCollege.
 
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