By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The DMS baseball team battled hard against a tough opponent on Thursday afternoon, but ultimately fell to the Campbell Camels with a 12-1 final score.

Chandler Young got the start and the loss for the Bearcats; the right-hander threw 100 pitches in 4 1/3 innings of work, with three strikeouts and five walks. Young struggled with his command early in the game, but progressively improved throughout the contest.

Cole Renken entered the game in relief during the fifth inning, including one strikeout.

The Camels scored five runs without recording an out to open the game, thanks in part to a two RBI double from Brock Breachem.

The 'Cats were greeted with three free bases to open the bottom of the first; Austin Chesser and Zach Alsup were issued walks, while Jake Pedigo took an errant pitch to the side. Young delivered a single to left-center to plate the Bearcats' only run of the day and set the score at 5-1.

Breachem led off with a double in the top of the second, and was driven in by designated hitter Nick Littrell to plate the only run of the inning. Chesser was granted a two out walk in the bottom half of the second, and advanced to third base with a steal and a wild pitch. Chesser attempted to steal home after another pitch got by catcher Will Biggs, but Biggs was able to recover and tag Chesser out at the plate to end the inning.

The Camels plated three more runs in the third inning to increase their lead to 9-1. The Bearcats were unable to convert two baserunners in the home half of the third, but Young was able to retire the Camels in order in the top of the fourth.

Campbell reliever Tommy Steward struck out the side in the bottom of the fourth, and his team tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth to set the 10-run rule in effect. The Bearcats were unable to score in the bottom of the fifth to end the game in a 12-1 loss.

Pedigo and Young got the only two hits of the game for the 'Cats; Pedigo was 1-1 at the plate, while Young was 1-2 with a RBI.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Saturday (April 14) morning; the team is hosting a four-team tournament and will face off against NMCC at 9:00 a.m.