South-Carolina

Ashley Chastain’s Impact: Transforming South Carolina Softball in Year One

Published

11 months ago

May 19, 2025

Ashley Chastain’s Impact: Transforming South Carolina Softball in Year One

When Ashley Chastain stepped into the head coach role at South Carolina, no one was talking about the Gamecocks making a Super Regional run—let alone hosting one. Here we are. Year one. Super Regionals. The question isn’t “how did they get here?” It’s “who’s stopping them now?”

The truth is, Chastain didn’t just bring energy—she brought a whole new standard. A former Gamecock herself and one of the most respected pitching minds in the game, she’s turned a team that many overlooked into one that’s built on grit, precision, and belief.

Let’s talk about that belief for a second. You can see it in the dugout. You can hear it in the way they talk to each other between innings. This team is dialed. They’re turning double plays like clockwork and pitching with ice in their veins. In the Columbia Regional, they allowed just three runs total. That’s not luck—that’s culture. That’s buy-in. And that’s 100% Chastain’s influence.

She’s reshaped the identity of this program from the inside out. South Carolina was known for flashes of potential in the past, but consistency? Not so much. This year, they’ve become a team that plays clean defense, executes under pressure, and doesn’t blink when the game gets tight. That’s what makes them dangerous.

Now comes the real test. It’s one thing to win your regional. It’s another to go toe-to-toe with a program like UCLA. We’re talking about a team with 12 national championships and one of the most battle-tested coaching staffs in the country. The Bruins are the gold standard. Their resume speaks for itself. So the question becomes: can Chastain handle the chess match ahead? Can she outmaneuver a UCLA program that’s been here, done that, and written the postseason playbook?

I think she can.

Look—this matchup isn’t just about talent. It’s about tempo. It’s about confidence. And right now, South Carolina is riding a wave that only belief can build. Chastain has these players bought in on every pitch, every rep, every moment. That’s the kind of leadership that wins in May.

Whether they punch a ticket to OKC or fall short, what Ashley Chastain has done this season is nothing short of remarkable. She’s taken a team off the radar and put them right in the national conversation. She’s turned “maybe next year” into “why not us now?”

This is only the beginning. South Carolina isn’t just hosting UCLA—they’re announcing their arrival.

So bring the Bruins. Bring the cameras. Bring the pressure.The Gamecocks are just getting started.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for April 19, 2026

Published

1 hour ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for April 19, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing

Evening: 6-2-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing

Evening: 6-7-6-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing

Evening: 05

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

12-24-27-30-35

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Mid-amateur from South Carolina wins Terra Cotta Invitational in Florida

Published

14 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Mid-amateur from South Carolina wins Terra Cotta Invitational in Florida

All that separated Connor Doyal from the biggest win of his amateur golfing career was 5 feet of perfectly manicured green on Hole No. 18 at Naples National Golf Club. That plus a super-sized case of the yips.

“My hands were shaking uncontrollably,” said the 26-year-old mid-amateur from Charleston, South Carolina. “But I’ve had some moments like this before, and I think I’ve just learned to let it happen and not fight it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the best stroke of my life, but in the moment, I just had to trust myself to make the putt.”

Just as he had for much of the third and final round of the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational, Doyal delivered, dropping in the putt to win the event by one stroke over 17-year-old junior golfer Dawson Lew of Toronto, Canada.

Connor Doyal, a 26-year-old mid-amateur golfer from Charleston, S.C., celebrates with the trophy after winning the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Doyal, who entered the day two shots behind co-leaders Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach and University of Florida senior Parker Bell, shot 5-under 67 to finish 12-under, two shots off the low-scoring record for the 54-hole tournament.

“Honestly, I just hit the ball fantastic start to finish,” Doyal said. “I hit a ton of greens and then the putter started heating up. I woke up feeling good this morning, and I knew I had it in me.

“Coming down the stretch, I had to battle. I’m just glad it’s over. I mean, the heart rate is still extremely high right now.”

Doyal had seven birdies in his final round, the best of which came on the par-4 No. 14. He used his six-iron to blast his second shot 220 yards to within inches of the cup, setting up a short putt that gave him a one-shot lead over Bell.

Doyal followed with a birdie on No. 15 to up his lead to two strokes, but made things interesting by shorting a putt on No. 17 for bogey.

Playing in a group just ahead of Doyel, Lew missed a 35-foot try for birdie on the par-5 No. 18 a smidge left to finish at 11-under after a final round 68.

Clinging to that one-shot lead on No. 18, an admittedly amped-up Doyal nearly overshot the green on his third shot from about 80 yards out, the ball settling on the back fringe. He followed with a deft chip, setting up his tournament-winning putt.

“It was a little bit nervy there, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Doyal said. “I’m always going to be able to look back at that up and down on 18 and be like I have what it takes when the pressure is on.”

Widely regarded as one of the best amateur events for junior golfers in the country, the Terra Cotta’s field included nearly the entirety of the top 25 in the Rolex American Junior Golf rankings. That included Luke Colton of Frisco, Texas, who was gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive Terra Cotta championship. The 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit came up short in his quest, finishing 3-under and in a tie for 21st place.

“I started off pretty bad, just kind of had a weird first day,” said Colton, who opened with a 2-over 74. “Nothing was going my way. But I was pretty happy with the way I ended it.”

Colton said the Terra Cotta is one of his favorite events of the season.

“You’ve got a great field and obviously an amazing course,” he said. “I think that’s why everybody wants to come and play at this tournament.”

Another top junior was a late and unreported entry to the Terra Cotta. Charlie Woods, son of golfing great Tiger Woods, got off to a rough start with an opening round 79, but shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish in a tie for 42nd place with a 3-over 219.

Among the five Naples-area competitors, former Gulf Coast High School standout and current University of Florida golfer Noah Kent had the best showing. The 20-year-old finished with a 2-over 218 for the tournament, placing him in a tie for 34th. The other local entrants were Spencer Ives (220), Brian Bassett (222), Jack Ryan Donovan (224), and Kaden Latrielle (229).

Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at ddeluca@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Connor Doyal wins Florida amateur event, Charlie Woods ties for 42nd

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Missouri beats South Carolina in game two

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Missouri beats South Carolina in game two

Columbia, Mo. — The South Carolina softball team (25-21, 4-13) dropped the second game of its series at Missouri (24-23, 7-10) 5-0 Saturday night (Apr. 18).

Kai Byars led the Gamecocks with a pair of doubles on the night. It was her second multi-hit game of the season and her first game with multiple extra base hits.

The Tigers scored a run in the third inning without the aid of a hit. They would extend the lead and add four more in the fourth.

Carolina’s best opportunity for a run came in third. Byars doubled to lead off the inning and Shae Anderson followed with a bunt single. A double play on a potential sacrifice fly ended the rally.

Emma Friedel (8-4) took the loss, allowing one run on no hits in 3 1-3 innings. She struck out six and walked three.

The rubber game of the series will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.

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