BIG FIRST INNNING SENDS CAMELS PAST RU IN SERIES OPENER

BOX SCORE BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell struck for nine runs in the first three innings of the Big South series opener against Radford and handed the Highlanders an 11-3 defeat Friday evening. RU scored in the top of the first, but could not hold the lead as the Camels answered with six runs on seven hits in the first inning to take the lead for good.

Radford (12-11, 2-2) opened the first inning with a run on three hits to take an early lead. Josh Gardiner led off the game with a single to right field and moved into scoring position on Jeff Kemp's infield single. Gardiner then scored on an RBI base hit by Ryan Burgess.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Camels (23-3, 6-1) batted around in the bottom of the first. The big blow came on a two-run triple by Nick Ray, and CU tallied six runs in the inning.

Blake Sipe lined a two-out double down the left field line and scored on a Josh Reavis single to cut the lead to 6-2, but the Camels again answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to push the lead to 8-2. Another single run in the third, and the Camels pushed the lead to 9-2. Trevor Lane added a two-RBI single in the sixth for an 11-2 advantage for CU.

After a Kemp double to lead off the seventh, he came in to score on an RBI ground out by Patrick Marshall to account for the final run of the game.

Tyler Costello (3-3) gave up seven earned runs and nine in all after working 2.1 innings in his start. Dylan Nelson logged 3.2 innings in relief a gave up a pair of runs and struck out three. Mitchell MacKeith and Chase Lemaster each pitched a scoreless single inning.

Ryan Mattes (6-1) earned the victory going 7.0 innings giving up 10 hits and three runs, all earned.

The two teams will play a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.

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