BUIES CREEK, N.C. - After much fanfare throughout the offseason for the Fighting Camels, the 2022 season is nearly here. Game action gets underway Friday at 5 p.m. against Appalachian State at Jim Perry Stadium. Below is everything you need to know about the 2022 squad and the upcoming season:
High Expectations
Campbell's run to the regional final in Starkville, Miss. last season helped continue to build the program's national pedigree. Along with the returning talent and an impressive group of newcomers, the Camels have garnered plenty of attention this offseason. The Camels were featured in D1Baseball's "Dandy Dozen to Watch," highlight the 12 teams just outside of the publication's top 25.
Baseball America's preseason projected field of 64 slotted Campbell as a two-seed and returning to the Starkville Regional. A two-seed would be the highest in the program's history.
More locally, Campbell was selected to win the Big South in the preseason coaches vote, earning eight of the 11 possible first-place votes. A regular season title would be Campbell's fourth in a row.
Stacked Schedule
Campbell's non-conference strength of schedule (13th) helped the Camels earn an at-large bid to the Big Dance last season. This year's schedule is even more loaded. Ten opponents on the Campbell schedule were NCAA Tournament participants a season ago, with the Camels set to play 19 total games against those ten teams.
Campbell has midweek home-and-home's with three D1Baseball top-25 teams (Duke, ECU, NC State), and also hosts Maryland and Presbyterian for weekend series at Jim Perry Stadium.
You can view the full 2022 schedule here.
Preseason Picks
Big South Preseason Player of the Year: Zach Neto
Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Thomas Harrington
Preseason Big South Poll:
- Campbell (8) - 116
- USC Upstate (1) - 100
- Radford - 86
- Presbyterian - 84
- Gardner-Webb - 82
- Winthrop (1) - 72
- Charleston Southern (1) - 51
- High Point - 41
- UNC Asheville - 38
- NC A&T - 31
- Longwood - 25
Players to Watch
Zach Neto headlines the 2022 Campbell roster. The redshirt-sophomore returns as the reigning Big South Player of the Year and has landed on numerous preseason all-American teams, including being named Campbell's first preseason first-team all-American by Baseball America. He was also listed as the No. 3 shortstop in the nation by D1Baseball and is on the Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list.
The Miami, Fla. native led the Big South in average (.405), OBP (.488) and slugging (.746) last season. Paired with a successful summer in the Cape Cod League, Neto's name has appeared in the first round of MLB Mock Drafts for this coming summer.
Sophomore right-hander Thomas Harrington figures to be the Friday night starter for the Camels this season. The righty has earned some MLB Draft buzz as well after a stellar freshman season. Harrington went 6-3 with a 3.45 ERA as a true freshman, and holds the lowest ERA and most strikeouts (75) among returning Big South starters.
Harrington was tabbed as the No. 19 starting pitcher in the nation by D1Baseball.
Cade Kuehler made eight starts and 16 appearances for the Camels last season and will likely work as the Saturday starter to begin the season. Another sophomore righty, Kuehler is the hardest thrower on the team, capable of touching 97 mph on the gun. D1Baseball tabbed Kuehler as the No. 87 starter in the country.
Connor Denning, a redshirt-senior, is back after leading the nation in doubles-per-game in 2021, and third total with 26 on the year. Denning will be a staple in the outfield this year after starting the majority of games in center field last season. Denning led the team in runs last season, scoring 60 times as part of the fourth-best scoring offense in the country (8.8 runs/game). The Phoenix, Ariz. native was named a third-team preseason all-American by Collegiate Baseball News.
Bryce Arnold had a big freshman campaign, hitting .324 with six home runs, primarily out of the leadoff spot as the DH. Arnold is expected to make his way to the field this season, likely as CU's third baseman. He was tabbed at No. 42 on the top 50 third baseman by D1Baseball.
New at Jim Perry Stadium
After limited capacity last season, the Camels are excited to welcome fans back in the stands. Campbell has introduced two new seating options at Jim Perry Stadium this season with the addition of party decks and The Hump. Both will serve as group area seating. You can call the Campbell ticket office at 910-893-1459 for more information, or visit them at GoCamels.com/Tickets.
New Uniforms
You're going to want to see these in person too…
Notable Departures
Campbell lost the heart of a high powered batting order from last season with the departures of Spencer Packard, Matthew Christian and Collin Wolf. The trio combined for 205 hits, 34 home runs, 185 RBIs, and 160 total games played/started last season. Packard and Christian both earned NCBWA All-America honors while Collin Wolf was an all-conference honorable mention.
On the mound, wins leader Logan Heintzman (7-1) and saves leader Kevin Westlake (4) both graduated. Both were bullpen arms, and while it is expected to be a deeper staff this season, those will both be big roles in need of filling.
What They're Saying
"If you're looking for a chic Omaha sleeper pick, consider the Camels, who have been to three straight regionals and back-to-back regional finals," – Aaron Fitt, D1Baseball.
"Campbell looks ready to do its part by fielding a team as talented as just about any mid-major in the country… Campbell has been successful enough for long enough now that it's not sneaking up on anyone at this point, but after what it did last season and what it has returning on the roster, it's the runaway favorite in the Big South and should expect to get every other team's best shot." – Joe Healy, Baseball America
Attendance Policies
Gates to Jim Perry Stadium will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch. Parking is available at Jim Perry Stadium and behind Gore Arena, just beyond the right field fence. Campbell's clear bag policy will be in effect.
