Connor Campbell Flirts with Perfection as Cougars Sweep YSU
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston baseball team completed a sweep of Youngstown State on Sunday with a 13-0 win. Charleston built a big lead with a six-run third inning and five-run fourth inning.
Commanding Performance on the Mound
Connor Campbell of Charleston put on a pitching clinic, pounding the zone and utilizing the Cougar defense to keep the Penguins off the bases through the seventh inning. Campbell was on the verge of throwing a perfect game until Matt Thompson of YSU broke up the bid with a single into right field in the 8th inning.
Despite missing out on perfection, Campbell’s dominance on the mound was evident. His final line for the day was 7.2 IP, allowing just 1 hit, 0 walks, and striking out 3 batters. The graduate-senior left the field to a standing ovation at Patriots Park.
Explosive Offense
While Campbell controlled the game from the pitching mound, the Cougars’ offense came alive to support their pitcher. Dariyan Pendergrass and Cole Mathis kick-started the offense with back-to-back doubles, setting the tone for a productive day at the plate.
Kevin Madden had a stellar performance, going 3-for-3 with a homer, two runs, two RBI, and a walk. Avery Neaves also made an impact, finishing 2-for-3 with a homer, double, three runs, two RBI, and a walk.
The Cougars started piling on the runs in the third inning and continued to expand their lead in the following innings, eventually winning the game 13-0. Madden’s homer in the late innings added to the already impressive offensive display by Charleston.
Standout Plays in the Field
Not only did the Cougars shine at the plate, but their defense also played a crucial role in securing the victory. Will Venables at shortstop made key plays, including fielding two shots right at him for clean outs, contributing to Campbell’s strong performance on the mound.
Looking Ahead
With the sweep of Youngstown State behind them, Charleston will now turn their attention to a series against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Cougars will host Nebraska in game one of a three-game set, with the series opener scheduled for Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
