BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell softball is wrapping up preseason training in preparation for the season opener versus against San Diego on Thursday in the opening game of the San Diego Tournament.

"It's going to be good to get out there on the field and play against somebody other than ourselves," said head coach Todd Bradley. "I think everyone stars opening weekend on the calendar. It's always big for us, especially for the new girls that are coming out with a lot of butterflies and high expectations."

The Camels are coming off of a 29-29 record during the 2017 season, including a 13-8 ledger in Big South play. CU earned a berth in the inaugural National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC), their first postseason appearance since 2009.

In 2018, the Orange and Black will have to make up for the loss of two key starters from last year's squad in Katie Baker and Amber Schisler. Baker, a four-year pitcher for the Camels, holds the school record for the most appearances (148) and strikeouts (583) in a career. Schisler, who played with the Camels in 2016 and 2017, earned Big South Player of the Year accolades last season.

"Amber is a great talent and Katie had a great career here, but I think that we're poised to have even more success this year that we have in the past," said Bradley. "Down the stretch last year, the girls realized that it takes a team to win games."

SEASON GOALS

The Fighting Camels were selected to finish third in the Big South preseason coaches' poll, but Bradley hopes to surpass expectations and win the conference for the first time since 1994.

"Our goal is to win the conference. It has eluded us the last couple of years," said Bradley. "We finished second in the tournament two years ago and finished second in the regular season last year. It's time to make that move and take that step to become the best team in the conference."

Bradley would also like to see his team return to postseason competition for the second consecutive season, either in the NCAA Tournament or NISC.

"I think the biggest thing for our team to keep in mind is that it's a marathon, not a sprint," said Bradley. "It's not what you do one weekend; it's what you do consistently. We have to keep that in mind and make sure we're ready to go each time that we step on to the field."

PITCHING STAFF

The 2018 squad will feature an almost entirely new pitching staff with the loss of Baker, Holly Brooks and Schisler. Megan Richards, who went 3-5 in 20 appearances as a freshman, is the sole returning hurler for the Fighting Camels this season.

There will be three new pitchers in the rotation in 2018, including junior college transfers Haley Hutchins and Hannah McCravy and freshman Lexy Head. Hutchins comes to Campbell from Louisburg College, while McCravy transferred from Volunteer State Community College.

"Our pitching staff and coach Keli Harrell have done an amazing job getting our pitchers ready for the season," said Bradley. "They've looked good to this point. The good thing about our pitching staff is that they push each other and work hard towards a common goal."

BREAKING DOWN THE ROSTER

Campbell returns 11 letter winners from the 2017 squad, including five starters (Madison Herring, Megan Mozingo, Abby Perryman, Caroline Smith and Melissa Tullar).

Rachel McCollum, an outfielder out of Seven Springs, N.C., will return to the fold after missing most of the 2017 season due to injury. She will be a major asset at the plate for the Camels, as she has batted .352 with 21 home runs in 69 games played.

Lizabeth McCurry will also re-enter the lineup for her senior season after missing last season due to injury. The Asheville, N.C., native will also be a big hitter for CU, as she batted .255 with 26 hits, 12 runs and 24 RBI in 2016.

This year's roster features four pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders. CU will have a strong infield during 2018, as the Camels are returning Tullar at first base, Mozingo at second base, Smith at shortstop and Herring at third base.

Campbell will have a new face behind the plate this season with the graduation of Bailey Bjorson in the spring. Freshmen Mady Balke and Cassie Wancheck and redshirt freshman Haydn Parker will all be in the mix to catch for the Camels.

THE NEWCOMERS

CU's roster features eight new players, including six freshmen and two junior college transfers. Hutchins and McCravy, who both come from JuCo institutions, will be expected to carry weight in the circle for the Fighting Camels with their experience at the collegiate level.

Joining Hutchins and McCravy are Balke, Bri Bryant, Head, Hannah Jones, Katie Manring and Cassie Wancheck. Jones and Manring will serve as infielders, Balke and Wancheck are catchers, Bryant will play in the outfield, and Head will join the pitching staff.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

Campbell's 2018 schedule features 56 games, including 23 games at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium in Buies Creek. CU will compete in four non-conference tournaments in February and March, including two home tournaments in the Campbell Invitational (Feb. 16-17) and Camel Stampede (Feb. 23-24).

CU will face a tough non-conference schedule, facing off against six ACC squads (Duke, Georgia Tech, NC State, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech) over the course of the season.

"Playing against good competition during the non-conference schedule will help to prepare us for the remainder of the season," said Bradley. "The best quote I've ever heard was from coaching hall of famer Sue Enquist. She said the greatest thing about this game is that it doesn't know who is supposed to win."

The Camels will open up Big South play on March 10 against Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. CU will host Presbyterian, Radford and Winthrop and travel to conference opponents Charleston Southern, Liberty and Longwood. 

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