BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell's softball program, behind timely
hitting and strong pitching, completed the 2009 Fall Season with a
5-3 record.
"I have
been pleased with the consistently high level of intensity the
ladies have shown in their day-to-day workouts," head coach
Drew
Peterson explained. "It
is a clear indication to me that they are committed to moving our
program toward the next step in our quest to reach Oklahoma in
June. I believe the big game experiences they have had the past few
years, and the up coming schedule, have brought a deeper level of
maturity to their mind set and how they approach the game. I have
to thank God for the opportunity to see this club grow and our
program advance one step at a time. I am looking forward to facing
the challenges that God has in store for the future of our
team."
The Camels started the fall hosting a four-team tournament against
Pitt Community College, Louisburg Community College and Mt. Olive
at the Eakes Athletic Complex in mid-September. The Camels were
able to breeze through the tournament field with an impressive 4-0
record and outscored their opponents by a 28-1 margin. The Camels
next headed on the road and took on perennial NCAA participant
North Carolina before returning home to take on East Carolina.
After dropping two games to UNC, CU was able to pick up a victory
over ECU to finish the fall with a 5-3 overall record.
During
the fall, CU's offense was led by senior Robin
Leathers.
Leathers, who hit .314 with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs in 2009, got
right back into the swing of things with a .526 average, four home
runs, 13 RBIs and six runs scored in the fall. Leathers biggest
blow of the fall was her grand slam against East
Carolina.
Juniors
Keeli
Michael,
Melissa
Elks and
Katie
Hinton along
with senior Cassie
Webb also
contributed at the plate. Michael hit .364 with three RBIs and five
thefts. Elks hit .364 with a triple. Hinton showed a patient eye
near the top of the order with four walks, five runs scored and a
.294 batting average. Webb hit .308 with a triple.
Other
standouts for Campbell include newcomers Sarah
Ling and
Brittany
Arnn. Ling
adjusted quickly to the college game and hit .417 with five stolen
bases. Arnn ended up throwing five scoreless innings for Campbell
with a win and four strikeouts.
In the
circle, besides Arnn, reigning Atlantic Sun Pitcher of The
Year Brittany
Stanley picked up
right where she left off at the end of last season with a 2-0
record and 12 strikeouts in her 16 innings. Sophomore Christina
Melton also won
a pair of games, had a 2.15 ERA and fanned 12 in her 13 innings
from the circle. Arnn, Melton and junior Lauren
Stephan also
combined on a perfect game for Campbell.
As a team the Camels totaled 40 runs, six home runs, 23 stolen
bases, a .264 batting average and 21 walks. In the circle, CU had a
2.02 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 52 innings pitched and threw three
shutouts.
The two-time defending Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Champion
Camels (38-16 overall, 16-4 Atlantic Sun in 2009) will open the
spring schedule on February 11, 2010 with a home doubleheader
against UNC-Wilmington starting at 4 p.m. CU is looking for their
third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament after sweeping both
the regular season and conference tournament titles in the A-Sun
last season and winning the conference tournament title in 2008. A
complete 2010 schedule release will come later in the fall.
2009 Fall Results
Campbell 8 Pitt. Co.
College 0
Campbell 2 Pitt. Co.
College 1
Campbell 12 Louisburg
C.C 0
Campbell 6 Mt. Olive
0
Campbell 6 North
Carolina 8
Campbell 1 North
Carolina 6
Campbell 5 East
Carolina 4
Campbell 2 East
Carolina 9
