Sports Spotlight: Richlands slugger Turner follows winding path to earn college spot with the Charlotte baseball program

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – Richlands’ Cameron Turner has followed a winding baseball path and has stopped in Kinston this summer to play in the Old North State League.

We share about his journey and the next step tonight in our Pepsi Sports Spotlight.

“I wake up every morning and I want to play baseball,” says UNC Charlotte Freshman to be Cameron Turner, “Til the game leaves me I am not going to leave it. We are going to see how far we can make it in it.”

Richlands Cameron Turner truly found his love for baseball when he was 12 years old.

“My dad bought a cage for me, pitching machine and then it was just every day I was in there with it over and over again,” says Cam, “That’s honestly where I fell in love with it.”

But Cam’s love for baseball took a big turn when he tore his Ulnar Collateral Ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery before his freshman season. He was repaired by the famous Dr. James Andrews and then the way back began.

“It was a grind five days a week,” says Turner, “And I couldn’t go over what they wanted me to. Even if I felt good.”

Turner played his sophomore season at Richlands. He hit three homers and went .361. Then his teammates from summer ball connected him with P27 Academy in South Carolina.

“I loved it. I knew it was the place to be to get me to the next level,” says Cam.

Two seasons there dominant at the dish and in the field. Becoming a grown up.

“Had to wash my own clothes, do my own dishes,” says Turner, “I mean everything was like a reality check.”

Turner now a recent high school grad has been a leader in Kinston this summer for the Wingmen in the Old North State League.

“One of the most mature kids on our team,” says Wingmen Head Coach James Rice, “Which says a lot about his character and his work ethic, the way he goes about his business is serious and I love that.”

In 17 games he is hitting .286 driven in 13 and scored 8 times. The big bat he brought Kinston…

“He started taking BP and hit like 6 balls over the centerfield fence,” says Rice.

Had already helped Cam had earn a spot with the Charlotte 49ers baseball program where he will be a freshman this fall.

“They don’t recruit a lot of high school players and when they do they think you are ready to play,” says Turner, “I feel like I am going to give it my best shot to be in the starting line up the first game.”

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