South Carolina Gamecocks softball lands a trio of big-name players

New Gamecocks Softball head coach Ashley Chastain officially joined her alma mater on June 11 and quickly began overhauling the roster.

From Chastian’s previous school, Charlotte, comes the trio of Arianna Ross, Sam Gress and Lexi Winters. Three impact players ready to help the Gamecocks win now.

Ross, a third-year utility player from Rhode Island, had a standout year for the 49ers last year. She started all 57 games at first base with a .353 batting average, 22 home runs and 55 RBIs. Ross became only the second player in Charlotte history with more than 20 home runs and ranked fifth nationally in that department.

Ross’ play at first base and at the plate earned her First Team All-AAC honors and First Team NFCA All-Region honors, as well as becoming a 2024 Softball America First Team All-American. She was the definition of a student athlete who earned honor roll even as a freshman.

Winters, a catcher from Lexington, South Carolina, was this season’s 2024 AAC Defensive Player of the Year. Her stellar play behind the plate included a .230 batting average, five home runs and 25 RBIs. She holds the school record for most RBIs in a single game (7 against Middle Tennessee).

Winters didn’t allow a single passed ball all season and helped Charlotte finish 13th nationally in stolen bases against (18), just one during conference play. She was also recognized for her efforts in the classroom in 2023 as an honor roll recipient.

Gress, a right-handed pitcher from Harrisburg, PA, appeared in 33 games and 13 starts last season. She finished the year with a 2.57 ERA and a 14-10 record to go along with three saves and a complete game. Gress struckout 92 batters last year, while allowing opponents only a .210 average.

Gress is one of the best pitchers in the country who was in the top 100 on the preseason lists before 2024. She would back that up with second-team All-AAC honors and second-team NFC All-Region Honors. Along with Rodi and Winters, Gress was an honor roll student in 2023.

Coach Chastain continues to tinker with the roster in hopes of winning next season now. She realized how the transfer portal helped her Charlotte team and is using the same strategy at Columbia.

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