Softball Looks to Raise the Bar Again - 2026 Preview

After surpassing many expectations last year and being one out away from reaching the Women’s College World Series, South Carolina Softball coach Ashley Chastain Woodard knows her team won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year, but the goals are still the same.

“I think they’re ready to knock the next door down,” said Chastain Woodard, who is in her second year as head coach after leading the Gamecocks to a 44-17 record last season and was named the D1 Softball National Coach of the Year after hosting and winning the NCAA Regional and falling at home in a best of three Super Regional to UCLA. “This year there is a lot more pressure and expectations, so how do we manage that? As a coach, you’d rather have that than low expectations. They’re really passionate. They’re really motivated.

“We have more pitching. We have more stuff. What you lose with (2nd Team All-SEC) Sam Gress (graduating) is experience, leadership, grit, toughness and really good stuff as far as pitching. What we lost with her, we need to add with three or four arms, and I think we did that. Emma Friedel (Jr. transfer/Kennesaw State) had a fantastic fall and has really good stuff. Nealy Lamb (Jr., 10-3, 3.26 ERA) is a lot better, and she is in a much better place than in year one here. Jori Heard (Sr., 18-3, 2.79 ERA) looks great. She has the most experience on our staff, so when you think about taking over the alpha role, we expect Jori to do that.

“Freshman Ansley Bennett has really great potential and a high ceiling in the circle. KG Favors (Fr.) and Josey Marron (Sr., transfer/Mississippi State), who didn’t get to throw a lot in the fall because she was injured, gives us a lot more depth and options. If we can rely on four arms instead of two in any given month, that’s when you feel like you have horses in the barn who will be ready to come out of the bullpen and do the job.”

Offensively, Chastain Woodard noted that they’ve also upgraded team speed and should have more power throughout the lineup to protect returning senior first baseman (pictured at top of page) Arianna Rodi (.333, 55 RBI), who set program records with 17 home runs and 49 walks last year and earned the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award for her position.

“We hit a lot of doubles, and we walked a lot last year,” Chastain Woodard said. “With our park and our hitting style, I don’t think a lot of that is going to change. I do think we have the ability to hit the ball out more. It’s not just Ari. Karley Shelton (Jr., .343, 4 HR, 41 RBI) has more power. Tori Ensley (Jr. transfer/N.C. State) has a ton of power. I think Tate Davis (So. transfer/Ole Miss) is our DP right now. She has so much power at the plate. I think she hit a home run every time we went live in the fall. Jamie Mackay (Sr. transfer/Ole Miss) has so much power. We added so much power throughout the order with the ability to change the game at any point.”

The Gamecocks return several key starters that are big contributors defensively and offensively with Rodi at first base, Shelton at second base, senior catcher Lexi Winters (.331, 6 HR, 53 RBI), and senior outfielder Quincee Lilio (.359, 29 RBI).

“With Ari and Winnie, they know how to win, and they’re very professional,” Chastain Woodard said. “Peer leadership is hard, but I think both of them are ready to take that on. They’re always team-first. Q (Lilio) and Karley have really stood out from a leadership standpoint as well. Q is one of the smartest people I’ve ever coached for the game itself. She knows the game at a really high level. Karley is such a field general and makes sure things get done the right way. She is so competitive.

“We added a lot of athleticism and speed with players like Ansley Bennett, Kai Byars (Fr., OF), and Tori Ensley. You’ll see all three of them on the field a lot and influencing the game, in addition to sophomore Nia McKnight, who was a good base stealer for us last year. I think we’re faster, and we will be more dynamic on the base paths.”

The biggest question will be filling the left side of the infield after graduating Brooke Blankenship and Ella Chancey.

“Those guys were career starters,” Chastain Woodard said. “We have the talent. We just don’t have the experience. With(Alyssa) Lou Hovermale (Jr. transfer/Florida), sophomore Shae Anderson, and Natalie Heath (R.Sr., .282, 6 HR, 21 RBI), we’re helping them feel like they’re good enough and give them confidence that their talent will play at this level. Shae Anderson learned a lot from watching Brooke last year at short. She has really stepped up to the plate and is doing a good job.

“Lou Hovermale is solid and has a shot to play third. Sage Scarmardo (Sr. transfer/Purdue) was injured most of the fall, but she could be in the mix. It’s still a battle, but we just want them all to have a ton of confidence. Tate can play short or third. She has a cannon for an arm.

“Tori Ensley is a great outfielder and will probably be out there every day. The third outfield spot might be an offensive decision, such as with Jamie Mackay when she’s not catching. She can play right field and has a great arm, but when she’s catching it could be Kai Byars, Ansley Bennett, or Nia McKnight, who has really been competing well.”

Last year, South Carolina was picked last in the SEC preseason poll and ended up finishing seventh while putting together one of the best seasons in decades. The 2026 Gamecocks hope to do even more.

“You can use it as motivation, but we’re not trying to compare to last year,” Chastain Woodard said. “Comparison is the thief of joy. This year, we’re creating our own path. Half of our team is new. This year’s team is creating their own identity. They can go be themselves. This year’s team can do anything they want to do.”

South Carolina Softball opens the 2026 season at home February 5-8 with the Gamecock Invitational Tournament.