BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Canisius baseball program was bested by Campbell in the first game of the three-game series on Friday, as the Camels defeated the Griffs 7-2 in Buies Creek, N.C. With the loss Canisius falls to 2-7, while Campbell improves to 5-4 on the year.

The Canisius offense couldn't solve the Cambpell staff, as Nick Thayer started the game and went sevem strong innings, recording six strikeouts, yielding two hits and held Canisius off the scoresheet. With the win Thayer improved to 3-0 this season.

Campbell on the other hand was able to get to the Canisius pitching staff, roughing up starter Mike Elwood, who ran into trouble in the third and fourth innings. The senior pitched just three innings, allowed seven runs, fanned four and dropped to 0-2 on the season.

Nolan Hunt came on in relief and shut down the Camels, throwing three innings and limiting the Campbell hitters to just two hits with four strikeouts, while Andrew Sipowicz also saw action, coming in and throwing two innings, surrendering two hits and no runs.

Hits were hard to come by in the contest, as five different Griffs recorded base knocks. Meanwhile Campbell's Anthony Lopez was a sparkplug for the lineup, recording three hits and two RBI in the victory.

Cambpell opened the scoring in the bottom of the third as the Camels used a three-hit, three-run rally to take the lead, with most of the damage coming off the bat of Jimmy Monaghan. Monaghan tripled to right field and drove in a pair of runs to cap the scoring. 

The Camels chased Elwood in the bottom of the fourth, as the senior starter walked the first two batters, and a throwing error scored JD Andreezen. Meanwhile a wild pitch scored the second Campbell run, and Ben Calavano stole home to notch another run to make it 6-0. A single by Lopez was the knockout blow as he drove in Calvano, making way for Hunt.

The Canisius offense was held in check for most of the evening until the top of the ninth as the team attempted a rally. With the bases loaded sophomore Nick Capitano recorded his first RBI of the 2016 season, driving in Stekl and Kensinger, notching a base knock to center field, but that's all the offense the Griffs could muster.

The Blue and Gold continue the series tomorrow and Sunday, with game times slated for 3 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.