OSHAWA, Ont. – After missing out on their first Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) medal in 17 years, Durham College softball head coach Jim Nemish is working hard to get the program back on the podium in 2014. Nemish took the program a step in the right direction as three impact players have committed to the team for the 2014 season.

Joining the team this season will be outfielder Caleigh Coels (Duncan, B.C.), pitcher and infielder Samantha MacCallum (Whitby, Ont.) and second baseman Tara-Leigh Robinson (Mount Albert, Ont.).

Caleigh Coels
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Duncan, B.C.
Club Team: Victoria Devils

Coels played for the Victoria Devils fastball program for the past six seasons. The team has played in a number of high profile championships and have had great results including winning the gold medal at the Canadian Open in 2012. The Devils also reached the podium winning silver medals at provincials and nationals as well as a bronze medal in the Richmond Islanders tournament.

The five-foot-seven outfielder is a graduate of Queen Margret High School in Duncan and will further her education at Durham in the early childhood education program. Coels and her mom visited Durham this past March and went away confidently that Durham was her choice.

Coels is no stranger to pressure situations on the diamond. With her team needing a win over the Burnaby Oakies to qualify for the post-season, she came up to bat with the bases loaded trailing by two runs. Coels was able come up with a clutch bases-clearing triple to left field to end the game and book a spot in the playoffs.

"We are very happy to have Caleigh with our program and look forward to her patrolling centre field," said Nemish. "She will bring leadership, a strong will to win and according to her coaches is very coachable and plays with passion. In meeting Caleigh and her mom, I could see that she was a good fit for our team. She was able to hang out with a few of the players for the day and quickly struck up a relationship with them. Not only will Caleigh fill a void in the outfield for us, but we look for her to add some middle of the lineup punch and speed."

Samantha MacCallum
Position: Pitcher/1B
Hometown: Whitby, Ont.
Club Team: Whitby Eagles

MacCallum joins Durham College after playing with the highly successful Whitby Eagles program since 2009. In 2013, the Eagles were the eastern Ontario qualifier champions as they qualified to take part at nationals in Prince Edward Island. At the Canadian championship, she had an outstanding performance as she was in the top five of wins and strikeouts, while posting a .421 batting average. That same year, the Eagles won the CNE championship where she was named the most outstanding player and pitcher.

Playing for Sinclair Secondary School, the Celtics have been a  dominant program having won four LOSSA titles. At last year's LOSSA championship that was hosted on campus at Durham College, MacCallum was named the top player in the finals as well as the top hitter in the semi-finals.

MacCallum has accepted a position at Durham in the protection security and investigation program.

"In watching Sam pitch, she shows excellent command of her pitches and composer on the mound," said Nemish. "Sam will add great depth to our returning pitching staff and brings a will to win. Coach Baker feels Sam has a huge upside and her work ethic is second to none. He feels that her style will give or staff a different look and each of our pitchers will complement each other nicely. Sam can also play first base and has a strong presence at the plate with power ability for the middle of the order."

Tara-Leigh Robinson
Position: 2B
Hometown: Mount Albert, Ont.
Club Team: Barrie Storm

Robinson joins the Lords having played for a number of club programs including the Brampton Blazers (2005-08), Oak Ridges Diamonds (2009-12), Ajax Raiders (2013) and most recently the Barrie Storm (2014). With the Ajax Raiders midget team as a freshman, she received some excellent experience representing Ontario at the Canadian midget national championship. Robinson is a versatile player being able to play second base in the outfield as well as catcher, which makes her very valuable to the Lords heading into the 2014 season.

Robinson will be enrolled in the protection security and investigation program and is a graduate of Huron Height High School in Newmarket, Ont. Her family visited Durham last fall and were very comfortable that this is a school that fit her needs.

"Tara will add some needed depth to our infield and also brings some speed to our line-up," said Nemish. "Offensively, Tara is a good contact hitter with some power to add to our line and her ability to play other positions is a bonus. We are very happy to have Tara as a member of our program and look for her to have a successful season."

The team will open up training camp on Aug. 26 at Durham Field. For more information on the Durham College softball program, visit the official website at durhamlords.com.

Source: Durham College