'She's fun to have around': Chamberlain having a dynamite sophomore year with Cheboygan softball

CHEBOYGAN – Practice had finished several minutes ago, but a couple Cheboygan softball players and coaches decided to stick around for an extra batting session on Tuesday.

One of those still present was Presley Chamberlain, who cracked a smile after taking one final cut. The extra work put in was no surprise from this sophomore, who’s transformed into not just one of the best Chiefs but arguably the most talented player in the Cheboygan area.

But to become a standout, it requires hard work and dedication, something Chamberlain has prided herself on.

“I just always try to be better because I’ve always been a competitive person,” Chamberlain said. “I always try to push myself to be better.”

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Learning the sport under her father Warren at a young age, Chamberlain eventually joined and thrived with the Cheboygan Chaos, and most recently the 231 Fusion, a travel team she plays for out of Traverse City. All the experience gained and progression made through the years has lifted Chamberlain to the present, where she’s become a star on the Cheboygan High School team.

And she’s been raking this spring.

Chamberlain's numbers have been astronomical as she currently leads Cheboygan with a .507 batting average, a .845 slugging percentage, and a .611 on-base percentage. In addition to holding things down defensively at second base, she’s registered 16 extra-base hits, 11 doubles, 35 RBIs, 51 runs scored and 13 stolen bases without being picked off.

“She knows the game well,” Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde said of Chamberlain. “She has all the tools, she swings the bat good, she fields good. She’s an all-around good player. She knows where to cover, where to be, she knows the situation, and she’s fun to have around.”

While she’s still one of the youngest players on the squad, Chamberlain has shown the same type of determination as Cheboygan’s upperclassmen, a group she’s known for several years now.

“Before I started playing with them, I knew they were a really tight group, and I was like, ‘I want to be with them,’” Chamberlain said. “I want to have a good group of girls to be around, and when I started moving up I was like, ‘Wow, this is everything I imagined it would be.’ Everybody was so close, everybody wanted to be there and wanted to get better, because we knew we had so much potential.”

Chamberlain’s breakout sophomore campaign has inspired the Chiefs, who cruised to a third consecutive SAC title by sweeping Newberry on Monday. As much as she loves being with the program, her more experienced teammates adore her just as much.

“She’s really confident, she keeps everyone up, she doesn’t push anyone down, and she hits the ball really well,” Cheboygan senior Jordan Ashley said of Chamberlain. “I love having her on the team. She’s a great player and a great person, in general.”

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The Cheboygan seniors will graduate soon, but that means Chamberlain, along with junior Hannah Whippo and fellow sophomore Tessa Lake – two talented players themselves – will be counted on to lead the Chiefs to more success in the future. When that time comes, Chamberlain looks forward to the opportunity. Right now, she wants to continue developing and accomplishing goals.

And yeah, she'll keep putting in the work like she always does.

“These past two years of high school have definitely been great," Chamberlain said.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Chamberlain delivering impressive second varsity season with Cheboygan softball