The NC State baseball team fell to Campbell 5-4 Wednesday night at Doak Field, as it dropped its fifth straight game.

The Camels’ (24-18) Matthew Barefoot launched a full-count, go-ahead home run in the ninth inning off the Pack’s (31-12, 15-9 ACC) redshirt senior closer Joe O’Donnell, who had allowed just one earned run all season, to win the game for Campbell.

NC State played a sloppy game to extend its season-high losing streak to five games. The Pack committed two errors in the field, and could have been charged with more, and was plagued by ugly base running throughout. Wolfpack pitchers also threw three wild pitches, one of which allowed a run to score.

“It wasn’t a good game all the way around,” head coach Elliott Avent said. “When things are rolling, you just play, when they aren’t rolling, you try to do too much and you can’t play that way and I think that’s what’s happening now.”

Sophomore right-hander Mathieu Gauthier got the midweek start for the Pack, and it didn’t last long. The Canadian lasted just 3.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs, four hits, a walk and striking out two before making way for redshirt junior right-hander Nolan Clenney in the fourth inning.

Freshmen lefties Nick Swiney and Evan Justice also made appearances on the mound for the Pack, with Justice allowing two runs in the eighth inning. O’Donnell came in to pitch the ninth, where Barefoot launched just his fourth homer of the season off of the normally reliable Wolfpack closer.

NC State couldn’t take much advantage of a Campbell pitching staff that exhibited little control throughout the game. The Camels issued 12 walks, including four leadoff walks, but the Pack couldn’t capitalize; plating just four runs despite its 19 base runners.

“We’re having a little rough stretch” McLain said. “The big hit will come, we’re getting runners on base and we just have to get the hit when we need it.”

The Camels got a strong start from righty Wes Noble, who tossed 5.2 innings and allowed just one run on five hits and three walks. After Noble, Campbell used eight different pitchers to get through the game.

Campbell struck first in the fourth inning off of Gauthier, scoring two runs on a line drive from first baseman Tyler Anshaw. The hard-hit ball ricocheted off the glove of Wolfpack junior first baseman Evan Edwards, sending the ball into right field to give Anshaw a two-RBI single.

NC State pulled a run back in the fifth inning, thanks to a bloop single from sophomore pinch hitter Brad Debo. Freshmen Terrell Tatum and J.T. Jarrett both singled with two outs and advanced on a wild pitch, before Debo punched a soft RBI base hit into left field to make it 2-1.

The Pack had an opportunity to take control in the sixth inning, loading the bases thanks to three free passes from Campbell. However, nothing came of the opportunity as senior outfielder Brock Deatherage struck out swinging to end the inning.

“Obviously we’re not winning the close games,” Avent said. “I think guys are just putting too much on themselves. They’re trying to do too much.”

The Wolfpack broke through to tie the game in the seventh inning, as senior outfielder Josh McLain ripped an RBI single into center field to score Tatum. Tatum walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Jarrett, before McLain laced his team-leading 70th hit of the year to bring him home.

The tie didn’t last long, as Campbell plated two runs in the eighth inning to make it 4-2. After a walk and sac bunt, Camels center fielder Bryce Myers hit an RBI single into right field, advancing all the way to third on an error by Deatherage in right. Myers came around to score on a wild pitch.

NC State loaded the bases on three walks in the eighth, but this time was able to bring two runs across to tie it at 4-4. Senior pinch hitter Shane Shepard drove a deep fly ball to center field with one out, scoring Edwards from third on a sacrifice fly. Deatherage came around to tie the game on a wild pitch, before Barefoot launched his game-winner in the ninth.

The Pack has now lost its last five games, with all three this past weekend and Wednesday night’s affair being decided by two runs or fewer. NC State is getting guys on base, but isn’t bringing them in as of late.

“That’s just how the season goes,” McLain said. “You have ups and downs, and right now we’re in a down. It’s going to come right back up. That’s how seasons work.”

The Wolfpack will return to Doak Field this weekend, as it hosts William & Mary in a three-game series.