Troy Softball Tabs Camden Decker as Pitching Coach

TROY, Ala. – Following four seasons and an NCAA Regional appearance at Kennesaw State, Camden Deck has been tabbed the new Troy Softball pitching coach, head coach Eric Newell announced Monday.

"I am so excited about what Camden brings to the table," head coach Eric Newell said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is very well rounded in all aspects of the game. He is very good with maximizing each pitcher's potential, and he is a proven pitch caller. I cannot wait for him to work with our talented pitching staff. In addition to being a great 'pitching mind,' I also anticipate him working and helping in many other areas of the softball program and really take advantage of his versatility."

Decker helped lead the Owls to a groundbreaking year, where the Owls' secured their first ever NCAA Division I Regional win after defeating Auburn 1-0 in the 2021 NCAA Tallahassee Regional.

Decker coached one of the ASUN's top pitchers Melanie Bennett. This past season, Bennett led Kennesaw State with a 2.62 ERA and ranked second in the ASUN with 181 strikeouts. As a sophomore, she led the league in wins (20), complete games (22) and tied for first in saves (3). She finished second in the conference with 165 strikeouts. Bennett was named ASUN Freshman of the Year, due to COVID-19 eligibility, and earned a spot on the First Team All-Conference and All-Freshman team. Bennett tossed a complete game allowing no runs on one hit to secure the Owls first ever NCAA Regional win against Auburn.

"I am really excited to be in Troy and join this great program," Decker said. "I would like to thank Brent Jones, Sandy Atkins and of course head coach Eric Newell. Coach Newell's success has been admirable, I've watched from afar as his teams have been winners' year in and year out, I'm thrilled to be able to learn what makes his teams so talented."

In 2020, Decker helped guide Kennesaw State to a historic start in a shortened season due to COVID-19. The Owls jumped out to a 21-4 record, highlighted by wins over Auburn, Iowa State and Penn State.

Prior to his time at Kennesaw State, the Aurora, Ill. native spent one season at Delaware and three seasons at UT Arlington.

Under his tutelage, the Mavericks lowered their team ERA by 1.73 runs over the previous two seasons and two pitchers were selected to the Sun Belt All-Conference team. The UTA pitching staff was led by two-time All-Sun Belt selection Samantha Clakley, who ranked third in school history with 26 wins in 2017.

Prior to arriving in Arlington, Decker spent the 2014 season as a volunteer assistant at the University of Arkansas. Decker previously spent time as an assistant at the Doug Gillis International Fastpitch Institute, where he helped in the instruction of pitching staffs at Evansville University and the University of Missouri. Gillis served as Kennesaw State's pitching coach in 2017 and 2018 and currently serves as the Virginia Tech pitching coach and is considered to be of the best pitching coaches in college softball.

Prior to his coaching days, Decker was a two-year baseball captain at Waubonsee Community College before transferring to Trinity International University, where he was a member of the baseball team and volunteer assistant with the softball squad. Decker, a former member for the USA Men's Fastpitch National Team, earned his bachelor's degree from Trinity International in May of 2013.

Troy University Athletics

Troy Softball Tabs Camden Decker as Pitching Coach

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