Wicked Local Raynham: Former Bridgewater-Raynham star Nick Campbell sets all-time hit mark at Bryant
May 13, 2009
Former Bridgewater-Raynham star Nick
Campbell sets all-time hit mark at Bryant
Courtesy Wicked Local Raynham
By John Quattrucci
Tue May 12, 2009, 02:51 PM EDT
Click here for full story.
Raynham -
The hits just keep on coming for former Bridgewater-Raynham baseball star Nick Campbell.
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| Nick Campbell set the all-time career hits record at Bryant in a 13-3 win over Wheaton on May 2. |
Campbell, now a junior outfielder at Bryant University, recently broke the all-time Bulldog career hit record.
"Nick has been a very consistent performer for us over the past three seasons," Bryant head coach James Pinzino said. "To break the career hits record in only three seasons is truly a remarkable accomplishment."
Campbell tied and set the record during the same game.
The speedy outfielder led off the 2009 Senior Day game against Wheaton with a bunt single, tying him with Jason Eldridge (1996-1999, 248 career hits) for the career hit mark. Campbell then broke the record in dramatic fashion, belting a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to help propel the Bulldogs to a 13-3 win.
"The way Nick accomplished the record was truly special," Pinzino said. "I don't think he could have drawn it up any better."
The hit added yet another volume to the slugger's already extensive record collection.
Campbell holds the Bryant single season records for at-bats (271) and games played (64) and with one season to go, is in position to break several other Bulldog marks before he is through including: At bats (803, Campbell is currently fourth, with 746), games played (210, Campbell is currently eighth, with 174), RBI's (182, Campbell is currently sixth, with 130) and doubles (54, Campbell is currently fourth, with 44).
Campbell will almost certainly end up in the top five all-time in career runs scored (219, Campbell is currently sixth, with 130) and top-ten all time in stolen bases (128, Campbell is currently eleventh, with 38).
Campbell's 97 hits in 2008 were just two shy of the Bryant single season mark and his 57 runs scored were fifth all time.
With one game left to play in the 2009 season, Campbell is hitting .355 with 76 hits, 47 runs, three home runs and 40 RBI.
"Nick has played on good teams," Pinzino said. "And hit near the top of the lineup, giving him plenty of plate appearances over the years. He runs very well, allowing for plenty of infield hits, and can also bunt for a hit as well as any player we have had here. He also is very difficult to strike out, helping his hit total. But ultimately, Nick just has an uncanny ability to square balls up on the barrel of the bat."
The sure-handed centerfielder, who won the Rawlings Div. II Gold Glove Award in 2008, has a career .991 fielding percentage, placing him second all-time to former Bryant catcher Nick Tucarella (.992).
"Nick has not just been a great hitter for us," Pinzino said. But he's been truly a special all around player. He is one of the best defensive center fielders around."
Campbell's success comes as no surprise to his former high school coach, B-R baseball coach John Kearney.
"It only took him three years (to set the hit mark)," Kearney said. "That's amazing but it's not a fluke. Nick is a pure, natural born baseball player. He's been improving every year since his freshman year in high school."
Campbell was a three year starter and a two-time OCL All-Star at B-R and wrapped up his high school career in 2006 by winning the Old Colony League MVP award.
"Nick was one of the best all around players ever to play at B-R," Kearney said. "He was a first class kid, a pleasure to coach. He's one of my all-time favorites."
Campbell will be playing for the Battle Creek (Michigan) Bombers in the Northwoods League this summer.