Nate Blythe, Assistant Director for Athletics Media Services – Campbell University
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – After a week of individual workouts, Campbell held its first team practice on Monday afternoon at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium in preparation for the upcoming season. The weather cooperated with sunny skies and a high of 60 degrees.
“We are really excited to get back on the field after being away for six weeks,” said 2013 Big South Coach of the Year Drew Peterson. “It is great to have my softball family back. I love this team and have a lot of hope and aspirations in what I believe they are going to achieve this season.”
There are 25 days until the first game of the season and the team is working on a number of different areas to be prepared for opening day.
“We need to continue to build off what we did in the fall,” said coach Peterson. “On defense, it is important to get better first steps, make better angles on the ball and continue communicating with each other. Offensively, our decision making at the plate and putting consistent quality swings on the ball are areas we are working on. The pitchers are building off their locations and using movement to their advantage.”
In 2013, Campbell posted a 39-21 overall and 18-6 Big South record to earn the second seed in the Big South Championship. The Camels advanced to the finals of their bracket before being swept in a doubleheader by Longwood.
Sophomore catcher Courtney Klingler (Alvin, Texas) was tabbed as Big South Freshman of the Year, while Peterson garnered the league’s coach of the year accolades.
Senior first baseman Raven Lee (Battleboro, N.C.) and juniors outfielder Stephanie Jones (Black Mountain, N.C.) and shortstop Ericka Nesbitt (Salibury, N.C.) earned All-Conference First Team recognition.
Sophomore pitcher Courtney Roberts (Simpsonville, S.C.) and Klingler were named to the league’s second and freshman teams.
The Camels open the campaign on Feb. 7 with a doubleheader against Valparaiso and UMass-Lowell at 3 p.m. IPFW and Seton Hall are also participants in the Hampton Inn of Dunn Invitational.
