BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell softball head coach Todd Bradley took time to discuss the 2016 season and give his thoughts on the performances along with what the fans can expect during the fall workouts and 2017 season. 

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1. How would you best summarize the season?

Campbell finished the season 28-31 overall with a runner-up finish in the Big South tournament. They defeated Radford twice and top-seed Longwood to reach the finale against Longwood. The Fighting Camels started out 0-4 before going 10-5 through the next 15 contests to improve to 10-9. The team was sitting at 19-28 following a 15-2 loss to Coastal Carolina at home, throughout the remainder of the season and conference tournament, the Fighting Camels posted an 8-4 record to close the campaign.

TB: I would say it was an up and down season, throughout the majority of the regular season. The girls did a nice job of staying within themselves and getting ready to play at the last part of the season. Winning 2-of-3 from Radford and a sweep of Winthrop helped us going into the conference tournament. We had a lot of players step up and put in good performances, and play well defensively. With all of that, it put us in a position to play in the BSC title game.

2. Closing the season, winning 8-of-12, how key was that to finish the season on a high note?

Campbell finished the season with a three-game sweep at home against Winthrop, taking 2-of-3 from Radford at home and defeated Radford twice and Longwood once in the conference tournament.

TB: It was big to close the season in that manner. In the North Carolina game, we had opportunities to win the game, despite losing only by three runs. That was a nice confidence booster for the team going into the tournament knowing that we can play with anybody. We had a good start against Radford in the tournament, which helped our goal of only playing one game a day in the winner's bracket. We came out ready to go against Longwood and we took advantage of timely hitting and a great pitching performance from Courtney [Roberts] and Katie [Baker].

3. What was the turning point of the season?

TB: The turning point for us is when we were trailing Winthrop 6-1 and came back to beat them 8-6. All of the pressure of thinking and wondering of do we belong and are we good went out the door. After coming back to beat them it was pedal to the metal there on out. Obviously, we had a lot people step up and play positions they weren't necessarily recruited for or very familiar with as much and we were competitive as we were capable of being. It nearly turned out for the best, we were playing in the final game of the conference tournament. Im excited for the future because we have the whole group returning minus one [Courtney Roberts] and great incomers to join them.

4. Reaching the Big South Championship game as the No. 5 seed and being the visiting team every game, what was it like for the team to make it to that game?

Campbell took on the No. 4 seed Radford three separate times during the Big South Tournament. They took 2-of-3, including a key win to advance to the "Winner Take All" Championship game during the final day of competition. The team also faced No. 1 seed Longwood, earning a win during day two of competition and falling the in the championship game. 

TB: No different than anything else throughout the season. The team did a good job of understanding there is 21 outs in a game, you have to record those whether you're the visiting team or the home team. I think our pitchers late in the game made quality pitches and we took care of the ball defensively. It's a testament to our team coming together at the right time. A lot of people that say that you want to peak at the right time. Well, some peak at the middle, some at the beginning and we brought it all together at the end.

5. What are your thoughts on how the team grew together over the season with a many new faces (freshman and transfers)?

TB: I think it's great for us going into next season, we have four freshmen coming into the program as well. I think it goes to the culture of "hey this is how good we are and what we do." It's going to help as a whole with the group dynamic, coming in to make sure the the new girls are doing the right things and we are putting ourselves in a position to be successful from start to finish next season.

6. When the team returns for fall/offseason workouts, what will be the on-field focus to improve on the 2016 campaign?

­TB: I think the biggest thing for us is to accept the new players and for the returning players to continue to build on the success. Sticking to the plan and not giving up on a season when some adversity strikes. Talent wise we are one of the best in the conference and sometimes it's not all about talent, but growing together as a family and rowing in the same direction together so we can reach our ultimate goal.

Obviously Longwood has set the bar high coming in to the Big South. We want to match and exceed that, we want to be the team that everyone is shooting for. I would like to see how our girls come out and perform when the target is more on our back. I want to be in the upper echelon and opponents know they have to bring their 'A' game every day they play us.

7. Can you give a glimpse into the incoming class? What can fans expect from the freshmen next season?

Campbell signed four in the early signing period, including a pair of pitchers to boost the depth of the pitching staff. READ MORE

TB: We have two pitchers coming in next year and we feel they are very talented to help our staff grow from a pitching standpoint. We have a multi-positional hitter coming in and a middle infielder corner player that can swing it very well. We are going to continue to add depth to our offense and pitching staff.

8. On the injured players returning to full health for next sseason.

TB: Competition breeds excellence. The girls returning from injury makes competition deeper and makes us better. We could put players in and out of position because we have great athletes in the program. We can expand our roles to help in all aspects of the game. It's important to continue to establish that oneness and every role is important. Opportunities are going to be there and take advantage of them. The sky is the limit, doesn't matter who is out there, you plug and play and you may have a better matchup elsewhere and you have the pieces to make sure you match up well with the teams you're playing.