Dec. 6, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. –

South Carolina head softball coach Joyce Compton announces the addition of seven new players, as Audrey Broyles (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter), Evan Childs (Conway, S.C/Conway), Kelsey Goodwin (Houston, Texas/Lamar H.S.), Lauren Lackey (Lake Elsinore, Calif./Temescal Canyon), Kandyce Redondo (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter), Kristen Stubblefield (Corona, Calif./Corona) and Kaitlin Westfall (Macon, Ga./Mount de Sales Academy) have all signed National Letters of Intent with the Gamecocks.

Broyles is a two-time 4A all-state selection in Florida. An All-Broward County honoree as selected by the Miami Herald, She helped Pembroke Pines Charter to three district titles from 2005-07 and led the team to a regional finals appearance in ’07. Broyles had a 1.14 earned run average in 77.1 innings pitched in the circle. She added a .442 average and 36 RBI at the plate as well. She also plays volleyball for PPCHS.

Childs earned first-team all-state honors at the AAAA level for Conway last season from the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports. The utility player, a four-time all-region selection, hit .552 with six home runs and 37 RBI as a junior. Childs was one of just two S.C. players invited to the adidas Futures National Camp. A three-sport star for the Tigers, she is also a two-time all-region pick in volleyball and also earned an all-region nod in basketball.

Goodwin has garnered all-district recognition on three occasions from 2005-2007 as a pitcher for Lamar High School. The pitcher led the Redskins to a district title in 2007 and to bi-district crowns in her first three seasons. She also played for the Katy Heat Gold club team.

Lackey helped her Temescal Canyon squad to a 2007 Southwestern League title, as the Titans went 22-6 on the season. An honorable-mention all-county member as a sophomore, Lackey hit .269 as a junior and was perfect on five stolen base attempts en route to second-team All-Southwestern League accolades. The outfielder/second baseman played travel ball with the Orange County Lionettes who advanced into the 2006 ASA 18-Under Girls’ Gold National Championship. and was named one of the nation’s top prospects by Rivals.com.

Redondo, Broyles’ teammate in high school and on the Florida Gold club team, played second and the outfield for the Jaguars and helped the team to its last three regional titles. Redondo hit .460 last year for the 4A power. A 2007 second-team All-Broward County selection, Redondo has also spent time on the volleyball court during her time at Pembroke Pines Charter and has served as secretary in the student government association.

Stubblefield hit .441 with 16 RBI and two home runs during her sophomore season for Corona (Calif.) High School, earning second-team all-county accolades from the Riverside Press-Enterprise. She followed that with first-team All-Mountain View League, first-team all-county and second-team California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division I All-Southern Section distinction as a junior. She compiled a .419 average with 29 runs and 24 RBI last season for the Panthers.

Westfall hails from Macon, Ga., where she earned all-region honors on four occasions and all-state accolades in 2007 from the Georgia Independent School Association for Mount de Sales Academy. She led the GISA AAA in hitting with a .510 average this fall and stood fifth with her 12 steals. She holds 13 career records for the Cavaliers. She also has lettered in basketball during her time at MDSA and played with the Middle Georgia Reign club team.

“We have added speed, pitching and versatility with this class,” said South Carolina head coach Joyce Compton. “This group will fill a lot of holes, as we lose 7 players from our `08 squad. I believe that we have a group of players that will come in and compete at the high level that is needed for SEC play. All seven players will be competing for starting roles on our `09 squad. They are very talented and will allow us to have depth at every positions.”

The Gamecocks advanced to the NCAA Tournament Super Regional round last season and return eight starters for the 2008 season. The squad kicks off the year at the Florida Atlantic Kick-Off Classic on Feb. 8.

South Carolina Softball Signees
Class of 2012