Softball Team Looks to Pick Up Where It Left Off
Beverly Smith has a lot of reasons to be excited for the start of the 2021 softball season. As she begins her 11th season as South Carolina’s head coach, the Gamecocks are ranked 19th nationally in the two preseason polls and are looking to pick up where they left off after posting a 17-6 record last spring before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the remainder of the season.
“Just the fact that we’re getting going is exciting to me,” Smith said. “It’s been almost a year since we’ve played a game on the field. The prospect of playing a full schedule, hopefully, really excites me. We weren’t able to have any outside competition this fall, and I think our team is chomping at the bit to see an opponent and get back to playing softball.
“I’m also excited for the first Carolina-Clemson softball game, which was supposed to happen last year. That is something that I know fans will look forward to. It will be a fantastic experience for the student-athletes and fans to have that in-state rivalry in softball.”
The Gamecocks will host Clemson on Wednesday, April 21, as the Upstate school plays its second season of softball.
After reaching the NCAA Tournament for seven straight years prior to last year’s shortened season, Smith has a lot of reasons to be fired up for 2021.
COVID Seniors
Kenzi Maguire
Smith and many of her colleagues have the nice problem of a larger roster this year as student-athletes whose season was cut short due to COVID-19 were given an extra year of eligibility. All four of South Carolina’s seniors from last year chose to come back for one more year as outfielder Lauren Stewart (.315, 1 HR, 10 RBI), shortstop Kenzi Maguire (.328, 2 HR, 9 RBI), second baseman Mackenzie Boesel (.317, 2 HR, 11 RBI), and pitcher/DP Cayla Drotar (1-1, 3.26 ERA) are all returning.
“If I had to name one thing to be excited about, it would be that all of our ‘COVID’ seniors made the choice to return,” Smith said. “They’re an outstanding class. They’ve all graduated, and they all add so much value to our team. They’re all going to contribute on the field.
“Their talent is giant, but they’ve really contributed with their leadership. That’s fortunate with our class of ten freshmen. I’m really excited for them to have a final season in the garnet and black.”
“Our depth really excites me.”
Fabulous Freshmen
Smith had recruited a large freshman class to create competition for those positions she thought she would be losing to graduation. With 10 rookies on the roster, she is pleased with how they have competed and looks forward to having them earn time in the lineup and making an impact right away.
Aaliyah White
“Our depth really excites me,” Smith said. “We’ve got 27 players on the roster; 25 right now because of injury. When you think about the challenges that the season will likely bring with COVID, weather and everything else, we’ll have a lot more doubleheaders than normal as a result. Our large roster with depth will help us navigate some of that adversity.
“Specifically, I think our offense looks different. We’ll have versatility in our lineup. We’ve added a lot of left-handed hitters. We added more speed. We have the opportunity to do a lot of different things on the offensive side in terms of short game and stealing bases. We still have others who can hit for power, too.”
Among the newcomers who have made an impression are outfielder Aaliyah ‘A.J.’ White and infielder Carly Robbins.
“A.J. White can add a lot of excitement at the plate with her speed. She is going to be in the outfield, and her ability to go get balls is going to be great for us. She can swing and bunt, and just her speed is going to be exciting to watch.
“Carly has done a really nice job for us. I consider her a utility player because you can put her anywhere. She is a lot of fun to watch with how she plays the game.”
Freshman pitcher Leah Powell has also impressed the coaches for what will be a very large pitching staff as well.
“I’ve seen a lot of strides with Leah Powell,” Smith said. “She can be similar to ‘K.K.’ Drotar in that she may have the ability to hit for herself, which always gives you some options in the lineup.”
Lots of Arms
The Gamecocks have seven pitchers on the roster in 2021, led by veterans Drotar and senior Kelsey Oh (4-2, 2.14 ERA), who are both coming off injuries last year.
Kelsey Oh
“That’s the largest number we’ve had to manage in our bullpen, but I think we’ve got the veterans in Kelsey Oh and ‘K.K.’ Drotar, who can carry the load with Karsen Ochs (5-3, 3.18 ERA) coming off a great freshman campaign last year, and Leah Powell has shown a lot of progress.
“The person that really has impressed me the most in practice has been (junior) Rachel Vaughan (0-0, 3.50 ERA). She is really hitting her stride and has been very effective against our hitters in practice. I’ll just be excited to have a lefty on the mound. It’s nice to have the options with a lefty. (Sophomore) Bailey Betenbaugh (2-0, 0.95 ERA) and (freshman) Skylar Trahan will contribute as well. I’m excited about the depth of our staff because it gives us a lot of options, especially on those days when we have to play doubleheaders.
“To handle all those arms, we have three capable catchers in (junior) Jordan Fabian, (senior) Anna Vest and (freshman) Leslie Carroll. Jordan Fabian has stood out both behind the plate and on the offensive side.”
Don’t Forget the Power
In addition to the speed brought in by the freshmen class, Smith is pleased with the potential for power in the middle of the lineup with several other veterans.
Katie Prebble
“Katie Prebble (.302, 6 HR, 25RBI) has been outstanding. She has come back healthy and strong. It is fun to watch her hit. I’m ready to watch her against some pitchers other than ours! I think she is really going to do some damage for us at the plate. She has been working out in left field and doing a great job.
“Alyssa Kumiyama (.346, 10 HR, 34 RBI in 2019) is healthy after missing last year, and anyone who watches Gamecock softball is aware of the power she brings to the plate. She is always a threat when she gets in the box, and so is Kassidy Krupit (.308, 4 HR, 19 RBI). She has looked really good, too. I think we have three middle of the lineup hitters who can really hit for power and be run-producers for us.”
With all of the options, perhaps Smith’s biggest problem will be filling out the lineup card each day.
“That’s the one thing I’m not excited about,” Smith said with a laugh. “I have a lot of tough choices to make!”
The Gamecocks open the season by hosting the Carolina Classic February 12-14.
