WINGATE — A former Richmond Senior High School standout softball player is on the move after a month in the college transfer portal this spring.
Savannah Lampley, a 2019 graduate from Richmond, announced Saturday that she was leaving the University of North Carolina Wilmington and transferring to Wingate University.
“Super excited to announce that I will be continuing my softball career at Wingate University,” Lampley, a sophomore infielder, tweeted. “So grateful for this opportunity and everyone who has supported me along the way. Go Dogs!”
Lampley’s decision to enter the transfer portal in early March came after a freshman season in 2020 that was shortened to 14 appearances by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, Lampley played in four games, including two starts, for the Seahawks before requesting to seek a transfer.
Sending game film to several programs, Lampley said it was important to her to find a school and a team that allowed her to continue to progress in the sport she loves. With four years of eligibility remaining, Lampley hopes to make Wingate and the Bulldogs her new home.
“I really liked the school, the area and my teammates,” Lampley explained of UNCW, “but my ideas and thought processes didn’t match up with theirs.
“It was my decision to transfer and my family supported me,” she added. “I wanted to find somewhere I’d be happy playing softball for my next four years, and I found that with Wingate.”
Lampley was a four-year starter for the Lady Raiders from 2016-2019, who was named to the All-Conference and All-District teams each season, including being chosen the All-District Player of the Year twice as a junior and senior.
Following her senior season, Lampley led all 4A players in runs scored (48) and stolen bases (37), the second-straight year she led the state in those categories.
During her sophomore through senior seasons, Lampley was an NCSCA All-State selection, and was named the North Carolina 4A East Player of the Year in 2018 after her junior campaign.
Over her career with the Lady Raiders, Lampley recorded 175 career hits and batted .479 from the left side of the plate.
On March 27, Lampley attended a Wingate doubleheader and met with head coach Jamie Stanclift, which helped her make the decision to choose the Bulldogs.
“I chose Wingate after having a few conversations with Coach Stanclift and realizing I like how the team played,” Lampley explained. “I also liked their coaching style and decided I wanted to be a part of the team’s success.
“This process has taught me that I have to do what’s best for me,” she added. “It also showed me not be afraid of changing and I look forward to this new beginning.”
The Bulldogs, a Division-II program that competes in the South Atlantic Conference, are 14-14 this spring and have 12 more regular-season games.
An added bonus is that Lampley is no stranger to Wingate, having grown up attending games and camps. Both of her parents, Danny and Angela Lampley, are former pitchers for the Bulldogs and are members of the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame.
Danny Lampley (1995-1998) is the NCAA Division-II all-time strikeout leader (473 Ks) and was a two-time Third-Team All American selection during his junior and senior seasons. He also holds Wingate baseball records in wins (34), complete games (31) and innings pitched (391.2).
Angela Lampley (1995-1998) collected 60 wins from the circle, including 20 wins as a junior, during her career and was named All-SAC honors in all four seasons. She was the SAC’s Freshman of the Year and was second place in the SAC standings as a freshman and senior.
“I’m really excited to be joining the team, and the fact that my parents played there is an added bonus,” Savannah Lampley said. “This was my top choice out of all my options and it’ll be cool to carry on the family tradition.”
Lampley, an accounting major, will finish her spring semester at UNC Wilmington and transfer to Wingate in the fall. She plans to play her remaining four years of eligibility and earn her master’s degree in the process.
Between now and then, she says hitting the weight room and working out in the cage and on the field will be a part of her daily routine to stay ready for the Bulldogs.
“I’m excited to get there and play anywhere to help the team the best I can,” Lampley said. “I want to help take the program to the next level.
“I’m thankful for everybody who supported me, especially my friends, family and other members of the community,” she closed. “This has been a smooth process.”
