Softball Announces Fall Schedule

COLUMBIA, S.C. —- Hartsville’s Cayla Drotar and South Carolina softball are set to travel to Coker College as part of the 2019 fall schedule, head coach Beverly Smith announced Tuesday. The Gamecocks have six games on the docket against outside competition before the semester concludes with the annual Garnet and Black Scrimmage. 
 
The trip to Hartsville, lined up for Oct. 6 against Coker, continues Smith’s longstanding tradition of providing student-athletes the opportunity to compete in their hometown during their Carolina careers. 
 
“The fall schedule is always seeing what your freshmen can do and mixing in some game time amongst a tough practice schedule,” Smith said. “We’ve got a home weekend we’re looking forward to and I’m really excited to take (Cayla) to Hartsville. 
 
“We’re going to play Coker College at their place in Hartsville. I really enjoy taking our players home when possible. I have found with these homecomings that people from around the state have a better chance to see Gamecock softball.” 
 
The fall schedule opens Oct. 4 at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field vs. Anderson University at 7:00 p.m. Action continues at home on Oct. 5 with a doubleheader against Charlotte and the College of Charleston starting approximately at 3:00 p.m. following the conclusion of the first game of the day between the 49ers and Cougars. 
 
The 49ers come to town with plenty of familiar faces as first-year head coach and Gamecock alumna Ashley Chastain, as well as former Carolina volunteer coach Taylor Wike, will be in the opposing dugout. 
 
“I am thrilled for Ashley Chastain to take over as head coach at Charlotte,” Smith said. “And of course, Taylor Wike, who spent last season here will be on the coaching staff, as well. It’s a proud moment as a coach when you see former players coaching in the other dugout and doing it at a high level. I wish Ashley the best in her new position.” 
 
Carolina returns home to face Winthrop on Oct. 14 at 3:00 p.m. before concluding outside competition on Oct. 18 vs. Charleston Southern. 
 
The annual Garnet and Black Scrimmage is scheduled for Oct. 30 at 3:00 p.m.
 
South Carolina enters the fall coming off a 38-19 season in which it advanced to its fourth-straight regional final under Smith and the program’s seventh-consecutive postseason berth to set a new record for consecutive years in regional action. 
 
For more information on the Gamecocks, continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com and gamecocksoftball.com. 
 
FULL SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 4 – Anderson University (7:00 p.m.) 
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Charlotte (3:00 p.m.) 
Saturday, Oct. 5 – College of Charleston (5:00 p.m.) 
Sunday, Oct. 6 – @ Coker (TBA) 
Monday, Oct. 14 – Winthrop (3:00 p.m.) 
Friday, Oct. 18 – Charleston Southern (6:00 p.m.) 
Wednesday, Oct. 30 – Garnet and Black Scrimmage (3:00 p.m.)