Jarrod Belbin, left, and Zach Williams celebrate the win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
BUIES CREEK — A five-run fifth and three big outs from Ty Cummings in the ninth inning helped Campbell hold off West Virginia, 8-6, in college baseball Friday night at Jim Perry Stadium. The win is the Camels’ third over a Power 5 opponent this season.
Campbell improved to 8-9 overall, while West Virginia dropped to 9-8.
Leading by three, the ninth inning got hairy for the Camels in a hurry. Ryan Chasse began the inning looking to pick up a three-inning save, but after a double, error, and bunt single brought home a run and left two on with nobody out, the Camels turned to Cummings. Cummings proceeded to slam the door with back-to-back swinging strikeouts and a groundout to leave two men in scoring position.
The West Virginia speed seemed problematic early. The Mountaineers entered third in the nation in steals and added four more. They stole three bags as part of a three-run third inning, scoring more runs in that inning than had been scored against Thomas Harrington all season.
But Harrington managed to do enough to earn the win, limiting the damage to four total runs and allowing his offense time to break out in the fifth inning.
The five-run fifth featured four hits and saw the first seven Campbell batters reach safely. Connor Denning, Jarrod Belbin, Drake Pierson and Ty Babin all drove in runs in the fame.
Belbin also went deep in the seventh to provide an insurance run, a solo shot to right for his first home run of the year.
Harrington earned the win by tossing six innings with five hits, four runs, two earned with one walk and six strikeouts. This was the first game of the year he has allowed multiple free passes, issuing one walk and hitting two batters. Cummings earned the save.
WVU’s Noah Short, who was the first of three pitchers to appear in the fifth inning was tagged with the loss.
Campbell committed five errors.
Denning and Belbin each tallied two hits, accounting for half of Campbell’s eight total.
The teams meet again Saturday (March 19) at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)
Ty Cummings earned the save for the Camels on Friday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Thomas Harrington started for the Camels and got the win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Jarrod Belbin makes a tag at third in the third inning.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Bryce Arnold brings in a run with a sacrifice bunt in an 8-6 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
Zach Neto throws to first for an out against West Virginia.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)
