HPU Baseball Opens Series At Campbell With An 8-6 Win

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team enjoyed a five-run sixth inning on its way to an 8-6 win over Campbell in the first game of a Sunday double header in Buies Creek, N.C. Senior Kyle Brandenburg went 4-6 in the game with four runs scored for the Panthers.

“This was a tremendous win for our team today,” head coach Craig Cozart said. “We did a great job to come back in the middle innings. Cody Manzella had a great bases-loaded hit and Conor Lourey came in and slammed the door on the mound. There is still a lot of baseball to be played but its good to get the first win of the series.”

Down 6-3 heading into the sixth inning, the Panthers scored five runs to retake the lead at 8-6. Freshman Chris Clare and junior Dane McDermott led off the inning with back-to-back singled forcing a pitching change by the Camels.

Following the change, Brandenburg picked up his fourth hit of the day to drive in Clare and freshman Josh Greene followed with an RBI single to score McDermott. Junior Spencer Angelis kept the line moving with a single to second for HPU’s fifth-straight single of the frame, scoring Brandenburg to tie the game at 6-6. After an intentional walk to Gross to load the bases, junior Cody Manzella drove in the go-ahead runs with a two-out single to center to score both Greene and Angelis.

Junior Conor Lourey improved to 2-0 on the season with 4-2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Lourey allowed six hits and walk and struck out four. HPU starter John McGillicuddy pitched 4-1/3 innings and allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits and two walks.

Bobby Thorson suffered the loss for Campbell after allowing three runs on three hits without recording an out for the Camels. CU starter Heath Bowers pitched five innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits and five walks while striking out three.

The win by High Point breaks a four-game losing streak by the Panthers. HPU improves to 13-11 overall and 3-4 in the Big South. Campbell drops to 18-8 overall and 4-3 in the Big South with the loss.

High Point jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Angelis hit a bouncing single that hopped over the CU third baseman to score Brandenburg. The pair combined to score another run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Angelis, to drive in Brandenburg.

Campbell scored one run in the third when Seth LaRue scored on a double play then took a 3-2 lead in the fourth with two runs on an RBI single by Elijah Trail and a sacrifice bunt by Will Albertson.

High Point tied the game in the top of the fifth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by junior Josh Spano. The Panthers loaded the bases with back-to-back singles by Brandenburg and Greene and a walk by Angelis.

Campbell scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to open a 6-3 lead. The Camels loaded the bases ahead of Matt Nadolski who hit a single to center score two runs. One batter later, CU leadoff hitter Danny Pardo stole home as part of a double steal for the third run of the frame.

Brandenburg and Greene each finished with a career-high four hits in the game for High Point while Angelis went 3-4 with three RBI and a run scored.

Nadolski finished 2-5 at the plate for Campbell with two RBI and a run scored. Sam Rector went 3-4 and scored a run for the Camels.

The second game of the double header between the Panthers and the Camels is currently underway.