BUIES CREEK — Zach Peek tossed eight and two-thirds innings of one-run ball to lead Winthrop to a 5-1 victory over Campbell on Saturday afternoon at Jim Perry Stadium.
Peek, a sophomore righty, threw a season-high 121 pitches on the day, collecting six strikeouts and two walks against 36 batters faced. The Forest, Va., native improved his record to 5-4.
Michael Horrell (6-3) took the loss despite a quality start. The junior right-hander from Thomasville, went seven and two-thirds innings with three earned runs on four hits, issuing five walks and recording five strikeouts.
Outfielder Matthew Barefoot plated Campbell’s only run of the game on a solo homer to left field in the bottom of the third. Additionally, Bryce Myers logged a multi-hit outing with two singles for the Camels.
Winthrop (23-26, 14-9 Big South) got out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. After Jake Sullivan drew a walk, shortstop Mitch Spires cranked an RBI triple into the right field corner.
Campbell (28-21, 18-5 Big South) responded with a solo homer from Barefoot in the bottom of the third. Down 0-2 to Peek, the redshirt-sophomore outfielder who starred at Midway, launched a ball over the left field wall to even the score at 1.
The Eagles used a four-run eighth to seal the win, highlighted by three two-out RBI singles from Tyler Halstead, Dillon Morton and Hunter Lipscomb.
Trailing 5-1, CU sparked a two-out rally by loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Kyle Mehl took a pitch to the shoulder, then Myers picked up an infield single to put runners on the corners. Barefoot was also hit by a pitch to load the bases for Luis Gimenez, who drove a ball down the left field line that was narrowly called foul. On the next pitch, Gimenez popped up to first to end the game.
Sunday’s rubber match of the series will be Campbell’s final home game of the 2018 season. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., while Senior Day recognitions will begin at 1:40.
(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)