Campbell counting on help from Johnston standouts in 2009

Campbell's fortunes in baseball next season will rely somewhat on two Johnston County products: Zach Johnson of Smithfield and Princeton's Colin Parker.

Camels' head coach Greg Goff talked about the duo recently while in the area to promote the upcoming Campbell University Smithfield Summer Baseball Camp, which is set for July 21-22. (For more info on the camp, see the July 9 print or online editions of The Herald.)

Johnson, a rising junior, will be counted on to provide leadership in the infield and a bigger contribution with his bat. Johnson started all 58 games the Camels played in 2007, hitting .231 with four HRs and 30 RBIs. He has also been named to his Collegiate Wooden Bat Summer League All-Star squad.

"We're expecting big things for him this coming year," Goff said of Johnson. "He's gotten 300 college at bats and that's a big advantage for him. The one thing we want to see him do is cut down his strikeouts. When you put the ball in play, it helps everything and you'll see his walks go up as well."

Parker, who was named the prep 1-A player of the year in 2007 after helping lead Princeton to the state championship, picked up a win on the mound and played in 23 games as an outfielder. He finished the season with a 1-0 mark on the mound with a 4.85 ERA in five appearances. Parker hit .188 with three hits and a double.

"Colin worked extremely hard last season and took advantage of the opportunities he got as a freshman," Goff said. "He stepped up when we put him on the mound and came through even when we put him in the outfield.

"He's just going to improve even more when he gets stronger and more experienced."