BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Lafayette baseball team was bested by No. 21 Campbell in a hard-fought 11-5 decision on Tuesday at Jim Perry Stadium.

Lafayette got off to a hot start in the top of the second. Junior Michael Zarrillo blasted a home run to right field to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead. The home run was Zarrillo's second of the season.

Campbell responded in the bottom of third when Lawson Harrill hit a two-run home run to left field for a 2-1 Camels' lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Campbell extended its lead to 4-1 on another two-run home run, this time to right field by Grant Knipp.

The Leopards' offense found its rhythm in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Ethan Swidler started the frame with a ground-rule double and was followed by Zarrillo, who walked. Junior Ethan Young reached base on a fielding error by the Camels' shortstop that allowed Zarrillo to advance to second and Swidler to score. The next batter, senior Michael Mallas, reached on a fielder's choice, loading the bases for freshman Teddy Cashman. Cashman drew a six-pitch walk to score Zarrillo. Senior Justin Grech gave the Leopards a 6-5 lead, slicing a two-run single through the left side.

The Camels immediately countered in the bottom of the frame. Dylan Koontz reached on a Leopards' fielding error, which allowed two runs to score, and Campbell regained the lead, 6-5. In the eighth, Campbell added five insurance runs to push the final to 11-6.

Jackson Roberts collected the win for the Camels, pitching three innings, giving up two hits, no runs and striking out four. Junior Michael Romano took the loss, allowing four runs on two hits over 1.2 innings.

The Leopards are back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to Richmond to take on the Spiders at 1:30 p.m.