CARY, N.C. – Junior third baseman
Maegan Garrison highlighted play for the North Carolina Central University softball team with two hits, including an RBI-triple, in a 5-3 home loss to Campbell University on Wednesday at Thomas Brooks Park.
Garrison also scored one of NCCU's two runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Eagles tried to overcome a four-run deficit in their last inning, but with the potential game-tying runners on base and the potential game-winning run at bat the Camels came up with their 11th strikeout of the contest to preserve the road win.
Campbell (17-11) was outhit 7-4 in the midweek contest, but the Camels took advantage of six walks, two wild pitches, one hit batter and one NCCU error to prevail by two runs.
Freshman
Jai'lyn Edwards matched Garrison with two hits and her RBI-double down the right-field line in the seventh started the late rally for the maroon and gray. Freshman
Jaden Davis followed with a run-producing infield single and represented the potential game-tying run on first base before the final K ended the tilt.
The Camels used three pitchers, with freshman Isabella Smith (7-5) racking up seven of the victors 11 strikeouts over her four innings of work for the victory.
Campbell led from the start as the first three Camels all reached based and scored in the top of the first.
Garrison put the maroon and gray on the board with her laced triple through the middle of the infield that quickly bounced all the way to the center field wall to score senior
Madison Mifsud in the second inning.
The Camels regained a three-run edge on a sacrifice fly in the third and then added an unearned run in the sixth to finish off their scoring.
Junior
Diamond Porter started NCCU's late comeback attempt with a one-out double to left field. Garrison then put runners on the corners with a single before Porter scored on the double by Edwards and Davis knocked in Garrison to cap the scoring for the day.
NC Central (6-19) will next host Howard University in a three-game MEAC series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
