Campbell Wins 2022 Big South Softball Championship
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Campbell claimed back-to-back Big South Championship titles after defeating Longwood 8-4 in the conference tournament final Sunday at Lancer Field.
With the win, the Camels (37-17) earn the Big South's automatic berth to the 2022 NCAA Tournament. It marks the program's fifth appearance to the NCAA Tournament and second under head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley.
The Lancers scored first as a hit, sacrifice bunt and a Campbell fielding error allowed one run to score in the top of third inning.
The Camels answered immediately later in the bottom of the third inning starting with Diana Parker who walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Savannah White followed with an infield single and stole second to put two Camels in scoring position.
Tyra Parker took a 1-0 count before slapping a double to left center for the go-ahead runs. Parker scored later on Claudia Ware's sacrifice bunt and a groundout to put Campbell ahead 3-1.
Campbell added insurance runs in the fourth inning on sacrifice hits by both Diana Parker and Tyra Parker.
Delaney McDilda hit a two-RBI double to left center in the fifth while Diana Parker capitalized the day with a solo homer in the sixth.
Longwood attempted a late comeback, tallying three runs and had the tying run at the plate before Barefoot forced the final batter to pop-out.
Georgeanna Barefoot (17-5) picked up the win in the circle for Campbell, going all seven innings with seven strikeouts and no earned runs.
Sydney Backstrom (23-13) went 4.1 innings in the circle for the Lancers, giving up four hits, five walks and seven earned runs.
Barefoot was named MVP of the tournament and joined Ware, Tyra Parker and Kayla Fredendall on the all-tournament team.
Campbell awaits its NCAA Tournament regional destination when the location is revealed on tonight's selection show at 7:00 PM on ESPN2.
2022 Big South Softball All-Tournament Team
Georgeanna Barefoot, Campbell (MVP)
Claudia Ware, Campbell
Kayla Fredendall, Campbell
Tyra Parker, Campbell
Kayley DeVivi, Longwood
Lauren Taylor, Longwood
Sydney Jacobsen, Longwood
Celeste Delorenzo, USC Upstate
Summer Johnson, USC Upstate
Morgan Hess, Presbyterian College
Lath Freeman, Presbyterian College