LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — David Rossow struck out 12 over seven dominant innings and the Campbell offense erupted for five unearned runs in the seventh to power the Fightin’ Camels to a 7-1 victory over Elon in Colonial Athletic Association baseball on Saturday evening at Jim Perry Stadium.

The win improved Campbell to 25-13 overall, while Elon fell to 15-23.

Elon’s Jackson Alford launched the game’s first pitch from Rossow over the left field wall for a solo home run, providing the Phoenix with an immediate lead. Campbell answered in the bottom of the first, tying the game on an RBI single from Jonah Oster that scored Dylan Music.

Campbell took the lead for good in the second when catcher Andrew Schuldt countered with a solo homer of his own, making it 2-1. That score held deep into the game, as Rossow and Elon starter Tommy Mitchell engaged in a pitchers’ duel.

Mitchell was effective despite command issues, walking four and hitting a batter over six innings. He allowed just two earned runs and did not surrender a hit after the second inning, keeping the Phoenix within striking distance.

Rossow, however, was overpowering. The Campbell ace scattered four hits and walked one, with the only damage being Alford’s leadoff homer. He retired 13 of the final 15 batters he faced, striking out the side in the sixth inning.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the bottom of the seventh, when Campbell broke it open against the Elon bullpen. With one out and Sam Nomura on in relief, Logan Chapman doubled and Schuldt walked. After a sacrifice bunt, Elon third baseman Roche’s fielding error on a fielder’s choice allowed Chapman to score. A subsequent error by shortstop Jake Hajdu loaded the bases for Oster, who delivered a two-run single. Two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly from Zach Morton brought home three more runs in the inning, all unearned, stretching the Campbell lead to 7-1.

Beau Brailey closed out the win for Campbell with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits and striking out two.

Alford finished 2 for 5 with the home run for Elon. Hajdu also had two of Elon’s six hits. Oster led Campbell’s eight-hit attack, going 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

The victory gave Campbell a split of the first two games of the series after Elon won 10-6 on Friday. The teams conclude the three-game set on Sunday afternoon.

Rossow’s performance continued a stellar stretch for the right-hander, coming off an eight-inning, 11-strikeout win over UNC Wilmington his last time out.

The final score aligned with the pregame projection from Interstat, which gave Campbell a 73.9% probability to win and simulated a 7-3 victory.