Nate Blythe, Assistant Director for Athletics Media Services – Campbell University
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell head coach Drew Peterson announced his 2013 early softball signing class on Thursday. Lia Batchelor (Seaford, Va.), Cierra Harris (Pikeville, N.C.), Karsen Leonhardt (Lincolnton, N.C.), Chandler Patterson (Sanford, N.C.) and Mel Tullar (Alta Loma, Calif.) have signed National Letters of Intent to play with the Camels beginning in the fall of 2014.
“We are excited about the five individuals that have chosen to come and play for our program at Campbell University,” said coach Peterson. “All of them are well-rounded, hard-working individuals that will be a true asset to our team in every way.”
Three outfielders were signed by the Camels’ coaching staff in Batchelor, Harris and Tullar, who can also play first base. Patterson can play either first base or third base, while Leonhardt is pegged as a second baseman.
“We are gaining power and speed, while improving our depth in all three outfield positions,” said coach Peterson. “Each of these individuals are strong leaders that have gained the respect of the coaches and players that they have competed with.”
Batchelor played catcher and outfield for head coach Amy Hunter at York High School. The incoming corner outfielder was selected as a two-time All-District First Team and All-Region Second Team (2012-13).
“Lia is an incredible thrower of the ball, has great power and runs well, while playing with great confidence in herself and teammates,” said coach Peterson. “She is an explosive athlete that can hit for power, but her arm strength is her greatest attribute as an outfielder.”
The Seaford, Va., native played for the Williamsburg Stars organization during the summer months.
Harris helped Charles B. Aycock High School and head coach Emily Burke to the 2012 North Carolina 3A State Championship. The Golden Eagles registered three conference championships and tournament titles with Harris tallying a .351 avg., .436 on-base pct. and 62 stolen bases.
“Cierra is a left-side slapper that plays centerfield,” said coach Peterson. “She is extremely fast, but her most important aspect is leadership. She can get along with the entire team and connect with a variety of different personalities.”
The Pikeville, N.C., native played eight years for the Wayne County Hurricanes Showcase, which includes the 2010 AAU National Championships and a runner-up finish at the USFA National Championship. Bachelor was tabbed to the 2013 All-Conference and All-Area First Team at CBAHS.
Leonhardt is a 10-time letterwinner at West Lincolnton High School in cheerleading, softball, volleyball and weight training. She played for Tyler Sain for the Rebels, but an injury forced her out of softball competition as a junior.
“Karsen is a spunky kid that plays a very fundamental second base position,” said coach Peterson. “I saw Karsen make a number of really difficult plays seem simple, when I watched her in the recruiting process. She is going to be a dependable middle infielder for our team and will improve her power potential throughout her career.”
The Lincolnton, N.C., native totaled a .438 batting avg., six homers, six triples, 8 doubles, 39 stolen bases and 58 RBI in first two seasons at WLHS. She plays for the Carolina Wildcats during the summer along with future Camel, Patterson, for head coach Jeff McPhaill.
Patterson helped Lee County High School coached by George McCaskill to two appearances in the state playoffs. She totaled 93 hits, 65 RBI and 73 runs scored, while compiled a .510 batting avg. during the first three seasons for the Yellow Jackets.
“Chandler has incredible power and been a consistent hitter over her high school and travel career,” said coach Peterson. “She can play both corner infield positions or serve as a DP in our lineup because she has tremendous power at the plate. We are excited to see what Chandler can bring to the middle of our batting order.”
The Sanford, N.C., native plays for head coach Jeff McPhail for the Carolina Wildcats along with Leonhardt. She set the Tri-Nine Conference record with 16 home runs in her first three years, while also being selected as a three-time All-State, All-Conference and All-District player.
Tullar comes from the talent-rich state of California where she played travel ball for the Carona Angels, one of the top programs in the country. She aided head coach Mike Randall at Los Osos High School to a 54-21 record and a pair of league championships in 2012-13.
“Mel is very coachable and a tremendous hitter,” said coach Peterson. “She is a team-oriented person that is going to bring a valuable hitter into our repertoire of bats. She has an incredible background in regards to playing against top competition week in and week out.”
The Alta Loma, Calif., native was the Grizzlies’ captain as a junior and received acknowledgement on the All-Area Team. She registered a .432 avg. and four homers during junior season, and set the schools’ underclassman record with 13 homers.
Batchelor, Harris, Leonhardt, Patterson and Tullar will start their Campbell careers in the fall of 2014. The Camels open up their spring competition on Feb. 7.
Lia Batchelor – OF – 5-10 – R/R – Seaford, Va. (York)
York High School
– Three-year letterwinner for head coach Amy Hunter at York High School
– Two-time All-District First Team and All-Region Second Team (2012-13)
– 2011 All-District Honorable Mention
– Started for the Falcons at catcher in sophomore and junior seasons, while playing an outfield role a freshman
Cierra Harris -OF – 5-1 – S/R – Pikeville, N.C. (Charles B. Aycock)
Charles B. Aycock High School (2010-14)
– Three-year letterwinner for head coach Emily Burke at Charles B. Aycock
– Three-time Conference and Tournament Champions (2010-13)
– 2013 All-Conference and All-Area First Team
– The Golden Eagles were the 2012 N.C. 3-A State Championship
– Compiled 62 stolen bases, .351 avg. and .436 on-base pct. during first three years
– Registered .443 avg., .612 on-base pct., 26 stolen bases, 17 RBI and 28 runs scored as a junior
– Paced the team in stolen bases as a sophomore
– Participated on the Wayne County Hurricanes Showcase during the travel season for eight years
– Captured the 2010 AAU National Championship and runner-up at the USFA National Championship
Karsen Leonhardt – 2B – 5-3 – R/R – Lincolnton, N.C. (West Lincoln)
West Lincolnton High School
– Earned a total of 10 letters in cheerleading, softball, volleyball and weight training at West Lincolnton High School
– Played for head coach Tyler Sain
– 2012 All-State, All-Conference, All-District and Gaston Gazette First Team
– 2011 All-Conference, All-District and Gaston Gazette Second Team
– Tallied .438 batting avg, six homers, six triples,18 doubles, 39 stolen bases and 58 RBI in first two seasons
– An injury kept her from playing junior season
– Received the Rebels’ Team MVP in volleyball
Chandler Patterson – OF – 5-9 – R/R – Sanford, N.C. (Lee County)
Lee County High School
– Three-year letterwinner for head coach George McCaskill at Lee County High School
– Three-time All-State, All-Conference First Team, Academic All-Conference, All-District and Yellow Jackets’ MVP and Home Run leader
– Set the Tri-Nine Conference home run record with 16 in three years
– Totaled 93 hits, 65 RBI, 16 homers and 73 runs scored, while compiling a .510 batting avg. in first three years
– Aided the Yellow Jackets to a 26-24 overall record and two appearances in the state playoffs
Mel Tullar – 1B/OF – 5-9 – R/R – Alta Loma, Calif. (Los Osos)
Los Osos High School
– Three-year letterwinner for head coach Mike Randall at Los Osos High School
– Helped the Grizzlies to a 54-21 record and a pair of league championships (2012-13)
– 2013 All-Area Team and Grizzlies’ captain
– 2012 All-Baseline League First Team and All-Valley Second Team
– 2011 All-Baseline League Second Team
– Registered .432 batting avg. with four homers as a junior
– Compiled .534 avg. and eight home runs during sophomore season
– Recorded .398 avg. and five homers in rookie year
– Set a new underclassman record with 13 homers in first two years
