Camryn Spruell
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Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

Q&A: Hillsboro’s Camryn Spruell discusses team success, FAC title and more

Spruell will lead her Indians into tournament play this coming week.

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

HILLSBORO — It isn’t far-fetched to say that Camryn Spruell may be the best softball player to ever roam the halls at Hillsboro High School.

In fact, that may be an understatement.

During her four-year career, the Indians have tasted nothing but success. With Spruell in the circle and cemented in the heart of the lineup, Hillsboro has racked up over 70 wins without losing a single game in Frontier Athletic Conference play.

And through it all, Spruell has been dominant. This year has been no different.

In 20 games, the Ball State University commit has hit .441 with four triples, six home runs, 30 RBIs and 31 runs scored. In the circle, she sports a 17-3 record alongside a 1.09 ERA and 262 strikeouts.

Hillsboro’s Camryn Spruell is 17-3 in the circle this season with a 1.09 ERA.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA

Spruell and company will meet with Lynchburg-Clay on Thursday before beginning their tournament run — one that begins with a matchup against either McClain or Vinton County in a Division IV district semifinal.

Before that happens, we had a chance to have a conversation with Spruell to discuss her ongoing success, her team’s will to win and much more.

Question: Going into the tournament, you guys have every bit of momentum on your side. That’s because of the resume you’ve built during the year. What’s been so special about this team and what’s your favorite part about it?

Spruell: I believe this team is hungrier than ever. Most of us are seniors and have been playing together for a long time. We play for one another and want to win for each other, which is evident when we are on the field. As a mostly upperclassmen team, we have a lot of experience, and I think we understand what to expect in the tournament. We know it won’t be easy, but we are prepared for the challenge.

Q: A huge reason why your team has been so successful is because of you. Dominance is a word that comes to mind. What has driven you this season to success? What do you feel like your best on-field trait is and why?

CS: First of all, thank you for the kind words. My success this year has been influenced by numerous factors, including the support of my teammates, the insight of my coaches, and encouragement from my family.  However, I believe my genuine love for the sport sets me apart from others. I don’t just enjoy playing the game and being with my friends. I am passionate about finding new ways to improve my swing and pitching technique, and practice these improvements repeatedly. I also enjoy the conditioning work, like spending time in the weight room. My school has one of the top weightlifting facilities in the area, along with a strength coach who played football at Miami University. This training has significantly enhanced my skills.

I am fortunate to have an amazing dad who is always willing to go out to the barn to practice with me. He never tells me no, although he’s become more cautious about catching me these days. I also have a wonderful mom who ensures I have everything I need to succeed on and off the field. All this practice and training contribute to my overall success on the field. I am well-prepared, which allows me to stay calm and have fun while playing the game I love. When I step onto the field, I understand my role. I need to create outs for my team, whether that involves inducing weak hits or striking out batters. 

Q: Can you name a few teammates that have been crucial to this year’s success? What have they done so well?

CS: This team is filled with outstanding players. Chloe Roberts has had an amazing year at the plate. She has helped this team get runs across the plate and is blasting them over the fence. Isabelle Brunck has also had some clutch hits when we needed them, and she always gets that bat on the ball. Addison Huff has also been an all-around player this year. She is diving after every ball she can and has had a great year at the plate. Reagan Clemons is having a good year for herself. She is stepping up, ready for any challenge the coach gives her. She is hustling after every ball being hit her way, and as a pitcher, it’s exciting to see. 

Q: What did the FAC championship mean to your team?

CS: The FAC championship was extremely meaningful to us. We knew that we had a target on our backs, and teams put up a strong fight against us all year. Achieving our fifth consecutive undefeated league championship was incredible. But our coach always reminds us to celebrate today because tomorrow is a new day, and we have more work to do.

Q: Now that one goal is checked off the list, the next comes into view. What’s your team’s goal this postseason and what’s it going to take to get there?

At the plate, Spruell is hitting .441 with six home runs and 30 RBIs for the 17-win Indians.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA

CS: Our goal is to finish the year in Akron. We have said that from day one. We still need to be where our feet are as nothing is guaranteed. Everyone wants to win once we get into that tournament, but we need to want it more. That is going to start in practice. We can’t take reps off and go in the cage just to get swings in. We need to practice as if we are playing a game. If we practice the right things, the right way, we should be pretty successful.

Q: As your senior season comes to an end, every game is that much more important to you, as a senior. Looking back on your career, what do you feel like your legacy will be?

CS: Looking back on my softball career at Hillsboro makes me smile. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, coaches who will forever support me, and been part of an amazing community. The legacy I hope to leave behind is that playing this sport should always be fun. It’s fun to make the plays, it’s fun to hit the ball. This game should always be fun, and that will lead you to tons of success.

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