BUIES CREEK — Campbell’s comeback effort fell short as Miami of Ohio scored two runs in the top of the 11th inning to defeat the Camels 8-6 Sunday in baseball at Jim Perry Stadium.
Cole Gnetz (1-0) was credited with the win, holding the Camels scoreless in the ninth and 10th innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Andy Almquist earned his second save of the weekend as he did not allow a baserunner in the bottom of the 11th.
Tyson Messer (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in the top of the 11th.
Dallas Hall led the RedHawk offense with a 3-for-5 outing, collecting three singles on the night. Ross Haffey (1-for-4) scored three runs for Miami and drove in the eventual game-winner with a double in the top of the 11th.
Matthew Barefoot (2-for-4) reached base four times for CU, finishing with two singles. He was hit twice by pitches. Tyler Anshaw (2-for-3) also had two singles to round out Campbell’s multi-hit performances.
Trailing 6-2, the Camels ignited a comeback by scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on the corners, Joe Zirolli got Campbell started with a single to left field, scoring Barefoot. Three batters later, Kevin Barron knocked a two-RBI single through the right side with the bases loaded. Kyle Mehl followed with a sacrifice bunt as Mason Hayes scored the game-tying run.
Logan Bender entered for the Camels in the top of ninth, striking out four batters and giving up just one hit over one and two-thirds innings of work. The redshirt-freshman who pitched at Triton has 11 strikeouts on the year and has not allowed an earned run.
With Messer on the mound in the 11th, Haffey doubled deep to the left field gap to score Hall and give Miami (OH) a 7-6 advantage. The RedHawks picked up an insurance run as Hayden Senger’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Haffey.
Campbell (2-5) returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 28, as the Pepperdine Waves visit Buies Creek. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Jim Perry Stadium.
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)