BUIES CREEK, NC Despite jumping out to an early lead, Campbell used three big innings to defeat UNC Greensboro, 17-3, on Wednesday night at Taylor Field.
Zach Johnson went 2-3 from the plate with three RBI and a home run to help pace the Camels (4-0) and Josh Fish allowed just three runs in six innings to pick up the win.
Rob Gilliam picked up the loss for the Spartans (0-4) after allowing six earned runs in four innings of work. Ray Quinones was the top batter for UNCG after going 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Spartans jumped out to an early 2-0 lead to start the game in the top of the first. Drew Gehringer led off the game with a walk and Corey Overholtzer advanced him to third on a single through the right side. Gehringer put the first run of the game on the board after scoring on a Ray Quinones fielder's choice. Quinones advanced to third on a Trevor Edwards single and scored on an Ed Jayjack fly ball to left field for the 2-0 advantage.
The Camels would quickly respond back with four runs in the bottom half of the first to take the lead for good. After a Chris Bangi groundout to lead off the inning, Campbell used a single, walk and another single to quickly load the bases. Matt Keen got the Camels on the board after he reached on an error to make the score 2-1. Back-to-back singles by Johnson and Josh Holskey scored three more runs to make the score 4-2 after the first.
Campbell made the score 6-2 in favor of the home side after Johnson's two-run home run in the third inning. After a groundout to lead off the inning, Keen singled through the left side of the infield to reach base. Johnson followed that with his third home run of the season over the left field wall.
UNCG got back on the board in the top of the fourth inning after Michael Wall lead off the inning with a single up the middle. He advanced to second on a stolen base and then moved over to third on a passed ball. Wall pulled the Spartans within 6-3 after scoring on a Brent O'Berry groundout.
The Camels scored five more in the bottom of the fifth inning for their second big inning of the evening. After Zach Johnson reached on an error, Campbell hit three consecutive singles before Bangi hit a two-run double down the right field line to make the score 10-3.
Campbell followed that inning up with six more runs in the sixth inning to cap off the scoring for the night.
UNCG returns to the diamond on Friday for a three game series this weekend against Princeton. Friday's game is scheduled for a 4 pm first pitch.
AGATE
Campbell 17, UNC Greensboro 3
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UNC Greensboro...... 200 100 000 - 3 8 3 (0-4)
Campbell.................402 056 000 - 17 21 0 (5-0)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Rob Gilliam, Wes McBride, Warren Slack, Blake Hassebrock, Matt Parish, Greg Smith. Campbell Josh Fish, Parker Fleming, Jeff Hoffman, Jonathan Lopez.
Win-Josh Fish (1-0) Loss-Rob Gilliam (0-2) T-2:49 A-331
HR: Kent State Zach Johnson (3).
- UNCG -