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From Struggling to Slugging: CMU-Bound Campbell powers Oran's championship run
ORAN, Mo. — Central Methodist University's commitment to Brenden Campbell was a sign of faith in the Oran second baseman’s potential, but even they couldn't have predicted the meteoric rise that followed.
After a slow start to his senior campaign, Campbell became an offensive force in the latter half of the year, capping off his high school career with a 10-game hitting streak that included every postseason contest. Campbell's .491 average (27-for-55) over the final 16 games, with 27 hits, 19 RBIs, and 17 runs scored, propelled his season average to .395 and helped secure a state championship for the Eagles.
“I was in a slump, no doubt about it,” Campbell said. “But baseball’s a humbling game. It forces you to dig deep and find another gear. Failure fueled me. It made me work harder, smarter and hungrier. And in the end, it made me a better player.”
Campbell’s late-season heroics weren’t born overnight; they were forged in the fires of countless batting practice sessions and grueling summer tournaments. In Oran, baseball isn’t just a pastime, it’s a way of life. And Campbell, a product of that baseball-crazed culture, was destined for greatness.
“Coming from a community like Oran, you kind of grow up around the game,” Campbell said. “When we were younger, all my friends and I ever did was find ways to play baseball.
“This town, this team, they’re a family,” he continued. “The support from everyone, from my teammates’ dads to my own folks, pushed me to be the best version of myself as a baseball player.”
The hunger for a state championship gnawed at Campbell, a constant reminder of the unfinished business that haunted him. The sting of his sophomore year’s second-place finish lingered, a bitter taste he couldn’t shake. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about redemption, about proving that he and his teammates were capable of achieving greatness.
“My sophomore year we took second at state, and that loss really hurt,” he said. “The hunger to get back to that state championship game and win was fueling me to work my hardest.”
That hunger fueled countless hours of batting practice under the unforgiving sun, extra reps in the weight room, and endless drills on the practice field. Every swing, every sprint, every rep was a step closer to the ultimate goal. Campbell’s determination was infectious, inspiring his teammates to push their limits and elevate their game.
“[Campbell] loves the game, has the willingness to put in the work and leads by example,” said Oran coach Joe Bickings. “He put in a lot of extra time in the cage to get his swing right and he understands the game. He has the mindset to be able to erase anything negative that just happened and move on to the next play. We had some other players that had slow starts that put in the time and would hit with [Campbell] and I believe it helped turn their season around as well.”
Campbell’s leadership and work ethic proved invaluable as the Eagles stormed through the playoffs, culminating in a dominant MSHSAA Class 1 State Championship victory. The taste of victory was sweet, the emotions overwhelming.
“The emotions I felt during the state-run were incredible,” Campbell said. “Getting to state and winning meant to world to me.”
While the state championship game was never in doubt, one moment encapsulated Campbell’s dominance: an inside-the-park home run that sent the Oran faithful into a frenzy.
With the crack of the bat, Campbell took off like a shot, his cleats kicking up a cloud of infield dust. He rounded first and second with the speed of a man possessed, the outfielders scrambling in vain as he thundered towards third.
The ball ricocheted off the wall, a twist of fate that left the outfielder grasping at air. With Bickings’ arm windmilling like a runaway propeller, Campbell unleashed a primal sprint. He dove headfirst into home, a human missile engulfed in a cloud of dirt, as the stadium erupted in pandemonium.
“Winning state meant the world to me,” Campbell said. “One of the greatest feelings.”
The state championship was the pinnacle of Campbell’s high school career, but the final feather in his cap was being named first-team all-state by the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association. It was a fitting tribute to a season that saw him transform from a struggling hitter into a bona fide star, a transformation that didn’t go unnoticed by CMU, who had already identified Campbell as a player with the potential to make an impact at the collegiate level.
“I’d always heard great things about CMU’s program,” Campbell said. “So when they reached out, I was all ears.”
A few phone calls and a campus visit later, Campbell was sold.
“The whole staff made me feel like I was already part of the family,” he said. “It was an easy decision.”
Located in Fayette, Missouri, Central Methodist University boasts a storied baseball program that competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference at the NAIA level.
Campbell’s commitment to CMU is a testament to his dedication to the sport and his desire to continue growing as a player. While he hasn’t yet decided on a major, he’s considering something writing-related.
“I want to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and I hope to have a positive impact on CMU’s baseball program,” he said.
As Campbell looks back on his high school career, he’s proud of his accomplishments on and off the field. The state championship, the all-state honors, the friendships forged in the dugout – these are memories he’ll cherish forever. But more than the accolades, Campbell is proud of the example he set for his younger teammates.
“I want to be remembered as a guy who always worked hard and would do whatever I could to win,” he said. “I hope the younger guys from our team can remember my work ethic and use it to inspire themselves for the future of the Oran baseball program.”