BUIES CREEK – Campbell University will dedicate its newly renovated softball stadium in the memory of former softball standout Amanda Littlejohn on Friday in a special ceremony.
The ceremony is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. – between the team’s doubleheader games against Coastal Carolina – behind the facility. Among the honored guests in attendance will be Littlejohn’s parents, Jim and Kim Littlejohn, and her former coach, Andy Kim. Also in attendance will be former Campbell softball players Ashton Hardison and Brittany Lee (Stanley) to speak at the presentation and official naming of the facility.
Littlejohn had been battling various forms of cancers over the last four years and passed away on Sept. 1, 2011. She was the starting catcher for the Camels during the 2007 and 2008 season. In the summer of 2007, she was diagnosed with melanoma and fought the disease while continuing to play softball during the spring 2008 season.
She finished the 2008 season with a .367 batting average, 84 hits, 15 home runs, a school-record 72 RBIs and helped lead Campbell to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years. Her three-run homer helped catapult the Camels to a 7-6 victory of UNC-Chapel Hill in the Regional playoffs.
Littlejohn ended her career with a batting average of .296,131 hits, 27 doubles, 18 home runs (ninth at Campbell), 96 RBIs (10th all-time), a slugging percentage of .483 (eighth all-time at Campbell) and 214 total bases.
“Our softball family is greatly saddened with the loss of our dear friend,” head softball coach Drew Peterson said. “We deeply miss her, but we will cling to the daily example she set for us to battle, never give up and never make excuses. She was a true warrior and wonderful friend. It is very meaningful and fitting that we dedicate and name this softball stadium in her memory. Amanda will always be near and dear to our hearts.”
The stadium renovation includes new grandstand seating and an enclosed press box. It was made possible by generous donations from Campbell alumni, supporters and friends of the softball program.
Story courtesy of gocamels.com
Photo by Will Bratton