BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell softball head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley has announced the signing of five future student-athletes to the Camels' 2021 class.
"We are very excited about this signing class." Said McDonald-Kelley who is entering her third season as head coach at Campbell.
"They bring a lot of athleticism and have the ability to immediately elevate our program. I look forward to watching them develop as athletes and young women. The future is very bright for Campbell Softball!"
The 2021 class includes pitchers Savannah Beaver and Jaimee Hardy, infielder Alyssa Henault, outfield Tyra Parker and catcher Savannah White.
Savannah Beaver
Pitcher // Seagrove, N.C. // Eastern Randolph HS
- All-State pitcher for Eastern Randolph HS under coach Lavette Graham
- Earned PAC 7 Conference Player of the Year honors in 2018-19 and Pitcher of the Year honors as a freshman in 2017-18
- Won a conference championship and helped Eastern Randolph to a runner-up finish in the state championships her sophomore season
- Posted ERA of 1.97 with 99 strikeouts and a .986 fielding percentage in 135 innings pitched as a freshman
- Improved her ERA to 0.59 as a sophomore, posting 198 strikeouts and winning 23 games in 191.1 innings
- Had a 0.95 ERA in shortened season as a junior, winning three games and striking out 26 in 22 innings
- Played travel ball with Williamsburg Starz 18u under head coach Junior Pearce
- Pitched 69.2 innings with a 1.407 ERA and a 1.005 WHIP in 2020 for the Stars
- Has also played two years of basketball at Eastern Randolph
- Daughter of Michael and Shannon, has two siblings; Logan and Raegan
- Undecided on intended major
Why Savannah Beaver chose Campbell Softball: "I love the campus: it's not too big or too small. I love the coaches and I feel at home when I'm there."
Coach Sho on Savannah Beaver: "Savannah is a left handed pitcher that will be a great compliment to the rest of our staff. Savannah is a highly recruited athlete that we are thrilled to get in a Campbell uniform and know she will make an immediate impact on our program. I expect Savannah to have a fantastic career at Campbell and know she will leave a mark on this program."
Jaimee Hardy
Pitcher // Lovettsville, Va. // Woodgrove HS
- First team All-District pitcher at Woodgrove HS under head coaches Joe Spicer and Rob Cole
- Led Woodgrove HS in home runs and RBIs as a freshman leading the team to a 4A State Championship
- Won five games in the circle with a. 0.371 ERA and 77 strikeouts her sophomore season
- Played travel ball with VA Glory Premier under coaches Colin Chritiansen and Mike Mertz
- Daughter of Mark and Becki, has one sibling, Logan
- Intending on majoring in kinesiology
- Full name is Jaimee Lynn Hardy
Why Jaimee Hardy chose Campbell Softball: "I chose Campbell Softball because I could tell how much of a family they are."
Coach Sho on Jaimee Hardy: "Jaimee is a right handed pitcher with a devastating change up that will keep hitters off balance. Not only will Jaimee make an impact in the circle but she also comes with a big bat with major home run power. I am excited about Jaimee's ability to be a threat in the middle of our lineup."
Alyssa Henault
Infielder // Wake Forest, N.C. // Wake Forest HS
- NAC Conference Co-Player of the Year, All-State and two-time All-District player for Wake Forest HS under coaches Brittney Owens and Andrew Bost
- Named the NAC Rookie of the Year in 2018 helping Wake Forest HS to the third round of the state 4A playoffs
- Has recorded 84 hits, 41 RBI and 26 stolen bases total across her high school career
- Played travel ball with Stars National Belfield under head coach Philip Belfield
- Averaged .357 at the plate with 30 hits, 26 runs, nine RBI and 13 stolen bases for Stars National in summer 2020
- Daughter of Roland and Karen, has three siblings- Cassidy, Avery and Bryce
- Intending on majoring in criminal justice with an emphasis in homeland security
- Plans after graduation include pursuing a job path at the highest level possible in the criminal justice field
- Full name is Alyssa Nicole Henault
Why Alyssa Henault chose Campbell Softball: "The culture, the coaching staff and the team. Also the support I will be receiving from everyone who is a part of Campbell."
Coach Sho on Alyssa Henault: "I am very excited about Alyssa's ability to be a defensive star for us. She is a middle infielder known to steal hits from opposing hitters. Alyssa is a slap hitter with a ton of speed that plays with no fear. Her passion for the game embodies the Campbell Softball culture!"
Tyra Parker
Outfielder // Humble, Texas // Summer Creek HS
- Outfielder for Summer Creek HS located in Houston, Texas
- Named All-District Second team and Academic All-District as a freshman, hitting .379 and leading the team with 39 hits and 36 runs
- Earned an All-District First Team selection her sophomore season; batting .370 with 34 hits, 27 runs and setting a school-record with 21 stolen bases
- Helped Summer Creek to a District Championship and Bi-District champions, finished the season as an Area Finalist
- Named All-District First Team and Academic All-District in shortened junior season
- Batted .344 with 20 hits and 23 runs after playing 21 of 35 games
- Broke her own stolen base school-record her junior season with 24 stolen bases
- Featured in VYPE magazine in 2019 & 2020
- Played travel ball for Blaze United under coaches JB Slimp and Caitlyn Cain
- Helped Blaze United to a fourth-place finish at the 2020 Texas TFL Tournament in Dallas
- Was selected to the Triple Crown All-American team in 2018 at the Colorado Sparkler
- Served as an athletic trainer at her high school her sophomore, junior and senior years
- Daughter of Thedrit and Linda, has two siblings; Taylor and Caleb
- Intending to major in kinesiology on the pre-physician assistant track, has plans to attend graduate school to obtain her Physician Assistant Certification
- Full name is Tyra Jaden Parker
Why Tyra Parker chose Campbell Softball: "I chose Campbell because of the great coaching staff that is very family oriented which makes it feel like home away from home."
Coach Sho on Tyra Parker: "Tyra is is a triple threat athlete on offense with a ton of speed that will cause a lot of havoc for opposing defenses. Tyra will be a great addition to our outfield, she has a great arm with an ability to cover a lot of ground. I love that Tyra competes with a great travel ball program and has experience playing at a high level."
Savannah White
Catcher // Wickes, Arkansas // Cossatot River HS
- All-State and All-Conference player at Cossatot River HS under head coaches Tyler Timms and Chris Sutterfield
- Averaged .656 at the plate with 36 hits, 21 RBI and an on-base percentage of .723 in her sophomore season
- Played club ball with 18U Texas Glory under head coach Kevin Shelton
- Currently batting .364 with 11 RBI and four home runs in the fall 2020 season
- Played basketball her freshman year at Cossatot River, earning awards for Best Defensive Player and Most Improved
- Also ran track her freshman year placing third in the district in the 400m
- Daughter of Casey and Tessa White and has one sibling, Nathan
- Intending to major in sport management with plans to look into jobs in coaching or the sport field
- Full name is Savannah Marie White
Why Savannah White chose Campbell Softball: "I chose Campbell softball because I knew it was a place I could grow my faith while also playing softball and getting a great education. Even though it is sixteen hours away from home every time I have step on campus the coaches, players, and people have made it feel like home."
Coach Sho on Savannah White: "Savannah is a gritty athlete that plays with a ton of passion. I love her versatility on defense and her ability to play multiple positions at a high level. Savannah has a cannon for an arm, is savvy on the base paths and can hit for power. She is an all around athlete that will make an immediate impact on our team and culture."
