Former Harnett Central hurler Tyson Messer delivers for the Camels on Wednesday against N.C. State. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK — Campbell held one of the nation’s top offenses to four runs but could not generate enough run support as the Camels fell to No. 10 N.C. State 4-1 in baseball Wednesday night at Jim Perry Stadium.

Freshman lefty Evan Justice (2-0) claimed the win, pitching two and one-third scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts. Reid Johnston notched his third save of the season as the freshman right-hander kept the Camels off the board in the bottom of the ninth.

Allan Winans (1-2) was credited with the loss despite the quality start, going six innings with two earned runs. The redshirt senior from Bakersfield, Cal., fanned six batters and lowered his earned run average to 3.21 for the season.

Campbell freshman Ty Babin (2-for-4) was the only player on either side to post multiple hits as the Jackson, N.J., native collected two singles. Tyler Anshaw recorded CU’s only extra-base hit with a ground-rule double in the bottom of the third.

Campbell (4-8) scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the second, as Kevin Barron hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring Joe Zirolli home and give CU a 1-0 lead. The Camels had plenty of scoring opportunities taken away by the Wolfpack defense, who turned three double plays.

N.C. State (11-2) scored one run apiece in the third and fifth innings. Winans and the Campbell defense kept the game close in the middle innings, stranding runners in scoring position for four-consecutive frames from the third through the sixth.

The Wolfpack picked up two insurance runs in the top of the ninth, as J.T. Jarrett (1-for-2) drove one in on a squeeze bunt single and Will Wilson (1-for-3) drew a bases-loaded walk. Down 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Luis Gimenez (1-for-5) got on base for CU with a single to right, but a popup to third ended the game.

The Camels return to action Friday, March 9, at 3 p.m. for the first of a three-game home series against William & Mary.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)

Fans were bundled up on Wednesday afternoon at Jim Perry Stadium. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)