South Carolina softball desires to get again the place it belongs. Usually a postseason contender, the 2022 season didn’t go the best way head coach Beverly Smith would have preferred because the Gamecocks posted a 26-30 general file and have been simply 3-21 in SEC play. Along with recruiting and growing younger expertise, the Gamecocks have been aggressive in bolstering their roster to get again on monitor in 2023.
“The general thought after final 12 months was getting again to the place we had been with the postseason being the main target,” stated Smith, who begins her thirteenth season main this system and led the Gamecocks to seven straight NCAA appearances previous to the pandemic-cancelled season of 2020.
“We did a very nice job as a training workers recruiting over the summer time as we picked up 5 gamers from the switch portal. The switch portal offers you an opportunity to essentially change the best way you look. That provides a ton of expertise to our workforce which additionally added six freshmen, and that ought to give us plenty of depth.”
The Gamecocks will search for management from its returning veterans with graduate college students Jordan Fabian (beneath), who can play catcher or first base, pitcher Rachel Vaughan, and junior switch outfielder Aniyah Black from Georgia.
“Jordan does an ideal job main the workforce and has the respect of the workforce,” Smith stated. “Rachel Vaughan is form of the ‘mom hen’ of the workforce. I’ve additionally appreciated the efforts of Aniyah Black, who’s new to the workforce. I’ve appreciated her willingness to talk up when it’s wanted.”
“We’ve got loads of choices to attempt to win a ball recreation, whether or not it’s a small-ball lineup or if we have to use our ‘bigs’ to have a extra highly effective lineup.”
Coach Beverly Smith
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A key part in creating extra competitors to get the perfect workforce on the sector is within the pitching circle, the place the Gamecocks not solely return 4 arms, but in addition added a pair of newcomers who hope to make an influence. That features senior switch Donnie Gobourne, who involves South Carolina from Florida Atlantic College the place she ranked within the prime 25 nationally with 9.7 strikeouts per seven innings final season, and freshman Jori Heard from Algonquin, Illinois.
“Donnie throws the ball exhausting!” Smith stated. “She is a velocity pitcher, and I believe she has made nice strides within the fall. She will probably be loads of enjoyable for Gamecock followers to look at. I believe you’re going to see some innings for Jori as a result of she offers us a special look.”
The Gamecocks additionally return graduate pupil Rachel Vaughan (4-1, 2.96 ERA), seniors Bailey Betenbaugh (5-5, 3.98 ERA) (pictured at prime of web page) and Karsen Ochs (2-7, 5.59 ERA), and junior Leah Powell (7-12, 4.16 ERA).
The depth and look of the lineup will probably be significantly stronger if the Gamecocks can get a pair of veterans again who missed a while with damage, together with fifth-year outfielder Haley Simpson, who missed the final two years with damage however led the workforce with a .353 batting common in 2020, and junior infielder Zoe Laneaux (pictured beneath) who hit .264 with three residence runs and 16 RBI final 12 months regardless of lacking time with damage.
“We glance loads totally different with a wholesome Haley Simpson and a wholesome Zoe Laneaux,” Smith stated. “They didn’t get to play an excessive amount of for us within the fall, however they’ll make a big effect for our lineup if we are able to have them wholesome.”
Smith famous that the depth they’ve created offers them loads of choices as gamers compete for enjoying time.
“Jordan Fabian’s (.303, 9 HR, 36 RBI) bat is unquestionably going to be within the lineup,” Smith stated. “She will go play first base or she may be behind the plate. She’s so athletic, she will be able to do both at a excessive degree. This fall we actually labored Giulia Desiderio (So., .274, 1 HR, 12 RBI) behind the plate and Jenn Cummings (Jr., .250, 2 HR) who transferred from Washington. We’ve got loads of choices as a result of Giulia can go to 3rd base, and Jenn may also be a DP.
“A number of accidents within the fall actually highlighted our versatility. (Jr.) Riley Blampied (.313, 4 HR, 28 RBI) has been figuring out at third base fairly a bit, however when (Soph.) Emma Sellers (.267, 1 HR, 13 RBI) had an damage, Riley moved over to second base and that was a seamless factor. We’ll be capable of make some modifications to our lineup primarily based on matchups.”
Some newcomers could have a shot within the center infield as properly, together with sophomore Brooke Blankenship, who’s drawing some favorable comparisons to a former USC All-SEC performer.
“Brooke Blankenship offers me Kenzi Maguire flashbacks,” Smith stated. “She is improbable within the filth. I’d anticipate her to be a shortstop with Emma at second base.”
The outfield is crowded, particularly when Simpson returns, and Smith will attempt to fill it with the suitable mixture of energy and velocity.
“We’ve got (juniors) A.J. White (.288, 10 SB) and Aniyah Black (.258, 5 HR, 22 RBI), together with (Soph.) Marissa Gonzalez, who has been swinging the bat properly,” Smith stated. “A.J. White has actually jumped off the web page for me. She seems to be like a special participant proper now. She could be very targeted. She was the leadoff hitter for us within the fall, and I’ve seen her make large strides athletically and mentally.
“If (Jr.) Carlie Henderson (pictured beneath) (.282, 19 RBI)) is again wholesome, she is an amazing outfielder. We even have (Fr.) Kyye Ricks. Ricks can actually be a menace on the bases which may change a ball recreation. We actually have some choices the place we are able to make defensive modifications if we have to.
“We’ve got loads of choices to attempt to win a ball recreation, whether or not it’s a small-ball lineup or if we have to use our ‘bigs’ to have a extra highly effective lineup. As irritating as final season was, the workforce labored exhausting and competed. We had some good items, however we acknowledged we have been quick some items within the locker room and dugout. All of our gamers need to win. It has been an ideal surroundings.”
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