LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a wild Colonial Athletic Association opener defined by explosive innings and late heroics, Campbell outlasted College of Charleston 12-10 on Friday night at Jim Perry Stadium.

The Fightin’ Camels, who trailed by seven runs early, mounted a relentless comeback, finally seizing the lead for good with a three-run eighth inning to secure the victory.

Campbell improved to 16-9 overall and 1-0 in the CAA, while College of Charleston fell to 10-15 and 0-1.

The game’s most critical sequence came in the bottom of the eighth with the score tied at 10. After Joey Morton’s solo home run to lead off the inning knotted the game, Campbell’s Jett Music delivered the decisive blow two batters later. Following a single and a stolen base by pinch-runner Clayton, Music launched a two-run homer to deep left field off reliever Rogers, plating Clayton and giving Campbell its first lead since the early innings.

That clutch hit capped a dramatic rally for the Fightin’ Camels, who found themselves in a deep hole after the top of the fourth. The Cougars erupted for five runs in that frame, highlighted by a three-run homer from left fielder Jacob Amman, to extend their lead to 10-3.

Campbell began chipping away immediately. In the bottom of the fourth, Trent Rumley connected for a two-run homer. The Fightin’ Camels then scored four times in the sixth, keyed by a two-run homer from Joe Simpson and an RBI single from Morton, to close the gap to 10-9.

College of Charleston’s offense was powered by Amman and first baseman Alex LaCoste. Amman went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs, while LaCoste’s three-run homer in the sixth provided the Cougars’ final runs. The team totaled 13 hits.

Campbell, however, matched that firepower and proved more opportunistic, racking up 15 hits. Rumley was the standout, going a perfect 3 for 3 with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Morton also had three hits, including his tying homer, and drove in two.

The bullpen work of Braxton Shaffer and Beau Brailey was pivotal for Campbell in preserving the comeback. Shaffer entered with one on in the seventh and recorded four outs without allowing a hit, striking out two. Brailey followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, stranding the bases loaded in the eighth by inducing an inning-ending double play.

The Cougars’ bullpen could not hold multiple leads. After starter Harrington was chased in the fourth, four relievers combined to allow nine runs over the final 5 1/3 innings.

The teams will continue the three-game series on Saturday.

NOTES: The comeback victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had forecast a 7-4 Campbell win and gave the Fightin’ Camels a 54.9% probability of victory. … Campbell has won four straight games. … College of Charleston has lost two in a row. … The teams combined to use 11 pitchers.