With 57 career home runs, Landon Camp will go down in Oklahoma City University baseball history.
Camp, a senior from Edmond, Okla., has now knocked out two more than the previous career home run record holder, Dave Marlett.
“It’s a huge honor to be career home run record holder, because Dave is basically a legend for OCU baseball,” said Camp.
Camp tied the record with his 55th home run against Oklahoma Christian on April 9, and three games later, Camp broke the record in a matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma State.
“After I hit the home run, I felt relief to have finally broken the record since I had tied it a few games back,” Camp said. “As I was rounding the bases it was almost overwhelming. All of the guys and coaches congratulated me when I got back to the dugout, which means a lot to me.”
Camp, a four-year starter for the Stars, was pulled out of redshirt in the middle of his freshman season due to injuries on the team.
“I came in as an 18-year-old true freshman and was playing with guys who were in their 20s – I was very young and inexperienced. I needed the redshirt year to mature a little bit,” said Camp. “Spending half of the season as a redshirt, working in the concession stand made me want it even more since I wasn’t on the field at all.”
Camp was pulled out of his redshirt to fill in at second base and has been a key to the Stars’ success ever since.
Growing up in Edmond, Camp has known about Stars’ baseball for years and has been witness to the success that is OCU baseball. In 2005, Camp traveled to Lewiston, Idaho as a high-school senior to watch the Stars play in the NAIA World Series and bring home a national championship.
“Seeing OCU win the World Series was very exciting,” said Camp. “It’s a great feeling to know that a team of this caliber wants you to come play for them, because they think you have it.”
Camp made his second trip to Lewiston in 2008, but as a member of the OCU baseball team.
“One of my favorite memories is the trip to Lewiston last year,” Camp said. “Playing in the World Series is an unbelievable experience and one of those things that you will always remember.
“I will always remember the first home run I hit in the World Series. I hit one out against Lewis-Clark and it was a big deal to me to be able to hit a home run during the World Series. It was really exciting, and my family was there to see me do it.”
The Stars were unable to capture the World Series title last year, but still have their eyes on the prize.
“Even though we didn’t win last year, it still gave us the fire we need for this season,” said Camp. “We will go back to Lewiston this year with the same guys and as a stronger team, ready to bring back a national championship banner and a ring.”
