Baseball: Riverside Senior Outfielder Trey Campbell Commits to D1 UNC Asheville

By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Leesburg (March 19, 2017) — Riverside High School senior Trey Campbell has made a commitment to continue his baseball career at the University of North Carolina at Asheville beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year.

“Up until about September, I had no idea where Asheville, North Carolina was, but I had always wanted to go out of state for college to really get the full experience. I took a chance on Asheville – going to one of their prospect camps – and ended up doing well during the scrimmages,” the 5-foot-11 Campbell said. “After being offered, I went home and decided with my family we would all go on a visit. About half way through my visit, I knew Asheville was going to be my home for the next four years. The night I accepted the offer was a dream come true.”

Led by third-year head coach Scott Friedholm, the Division I Bulldogs are currently 8-9 in 2017, looking to wrap up their first Big South Conference series of the season with a win against Winthrop on March 19.

“I believe I will add a strong bat to the Bulldog lineup,” said Campbell, who will patrol the outfield for UNC Asheville. “I have already started working hard trying to become a key part of the offense.”

Before he heads to Asheville, Campbell will lend his talents to Riverside High School for one final season. Campbell – and head coach Sam Plank – helped the first-year Rams to a 12-8 finish in 2016, before falling to Culpeper County High School in the first round of the Conference 28 tournament.

“I have grown close with Coach Plank over my high school career and love the coaching style and culture he has brought to Riverside,” said Campbell, who plays travel for Marucci Stars. “He brings intensity and passion every day which motivates us as a team. It has been a great ride, and I look forward to seeing how we finish this year.”

While Plank motivates the team at Riverside, it was Campbell’s grandpa who served as his inspiration to pick up a bat and ball at a young age.

“I had always heard stories about my grandfather growing up in a small town in Alabama. Everyone knew his name,” Campbell said. “As a kid, I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”