Camels down Yale, 9-5, for first win

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Feb 24, 2018 | Campbell, News & Features

Campbell pitcher Logan Bender tosses underhanded to first for an out against Yale. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK — Senior infielder Christian Jones was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, leading an explosive Campbell offense in a 9-5 win over Yale on Friday evening at Jim Perry Stadium.

Campbell (1-4) racked up 15 hits as every Camel batter collected at least one hit in the win. It was the first time Campbell had accomplished that feat since nine Camels posted hits at Virginia Tech on March 28, 2017.

Senior right-hander Wes Noble (1-1) earned the win, holding the Bulldogs to two runs on three hits over six innings. The Lebanon, Ohio, native fanned eight batters, including an impressive sixth inning where he struck out the side with just nine pitches.

Yale’s Scott Politz (0-1) took the loss, giving up six runs on 11 hits over five innings pitched.

Triton graduate Logan Bender had another quality relief outing as the righty tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. His seven whiffs on the season rank second on the team behind Noble (14).

Jones logged Campbell’s first three-hit performance of the season with three singles. Joe Zirolli (2-for-5), Kevin Barron (2-for-3), Kyle Mehl (2-for-2) and Bryce Myers (2-for-4, 2B) also turned in multi-hit games for CU.

Matthew Barefoot (1-for-3), Tyler Anshaw (1-for-4), Ty Babin (1-for-3) and DJ Gatz (1-for-5) rounded out the Campbell hitters. Gatz’ single down the left field line in the bottom of the fifth was the first hit of his college career.

Outfielder Tom Ruddy led Yale offensively with a 2-for-3 showing. Griffin Dey hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth, while Simon Whiteman tallied a team-high two RBIs with a double in the ninth.

Campbell came out swinging with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the first. Anshaw, Zirolli, Jones, Barron and Mehl all notched singles in the opening frame.

The Camels scored one run apiece in the third and fourth innings on RBI singles from Mehl and Zirolli.

CU put the game away with a three-run seventh as Myers, Barefoot and Anshaw each collected an RBI.

The Camels are back in action today, Feb. 24 as CU continues the Campbell Invitational against Western Michigan. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. at Jim Perry Stadium.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)