ELON, N.C. – The Campbell softball team persevered through an hourlong rain delay and a midgame rally by UNCW to advance in the CAA Championship with a 9-4 victory Thursday at Hunt Softball Park.
After a scoreless first inning, the Camels loaded the bases in the second on a walk, hit batter and UNCW error. With sophomore
Hannah Cornetto at the plate, the game entered a rain delay that lasted just under an hour.
Campbell resumed play and immediately capitalized, scoring its first two runs on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI groundout by sophomore
Emma Slutzah.
The Camels added three more runs in the third inning behind three consecutive singles, including an RBI single from junior
Madison Ford. Junior
Janel Day followed with a sacrifice fly, and Cornetto added an RBI single to extend Campbell's lead to 5-0.
UNCW answered in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring four runs while holding Campbell to one hit over the two frames to cut the deficit to one run.
Campbell regained momentum in the sixth with its biggest inning of the game, scoring four runs. Slutzah doubled to open before a hit batter and walk loaded the bases. Junior
Devin Davis took advantage of a wild pitch to score a run as a pinch runner.
Senior
Charlie Montgomery then delivered the key hit of the night, battling back from an 0-2 count and fouling off five consecutive pitches before lining a two-run triple into the right-field corner. Freshman
Kylie Specht capped the night's scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Campbell's defense held firm late, allowing just one hit over the final two innings. Senior
Allyiah Swiney highlighted the effort with a diving hit-stealing catch in right field.
Montgomery led the Camels at the plate, finishing 2 for 4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a triple. Cornetto added two RBIs, while seven Campbell players recorded hits. The Camels finished with eight hits and struck out only twice. Freshman
Katelyn Hubley earned the complete-game victory in her postseason debut, recording seven strikeouts and allowing three earned runs.
UP NEXT
With today's results, Campbell advances to face No. 5 seed Charleston in the next round of the CAA Championship on Friday, May 8 at noon.
REMAINING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, May 8
Game 7: No. 5 Charleston vs. No. 3 Campbell - 12 p.m.
Game 8: No. 2 UNCW vs. No. 1 Hofstra - 2:30 p.m.
Game 9: Winner of Game 8 vs. Loser of Game 7 - 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 9
Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 9 - 12 p.m.
Game 11: If Necessary - 2:30 p.m.
