Aug. 16, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head softball coach Beverly Smith added to her roster for the upcoming 2012 season, accepting two transfers in Shelby Gonzales and Codee Yeske, both of who will be ready to compete in the spring.

Gonzales comes to Columbia from North Idaho College, where she led Division I of the NJCAA with 104 RBI and ranked third with 27 home runs last season. A second-team NFCA All-Region selection for the Cardinals, the catcher from Moses Lake, Wash., hit .456 on the season, scoring 75 runs as well in 59 games for NIC. During her two years, she posted an on-base percentage of .527.

Yeske spent last year at Presbyterian, where she led the team in doubles (9) and RBI (28) and ranked third with a .303 batting average. A first-team All-Big South selection as an outfielder, she ranked second on the Blue Hose with six homers and a .520 on-base percentage. She also ranked second on the team with 22 stolen bases in 26 attempts. The Lexington, S.C., native who played at White Knoll High School batted over .400 in two seasons and posted on-base percentages higher of .420 three times in her prep career. She also played travel ball with the SC Elite.

Gonzales and Yeske join signees Katelynn Howser, Lacey Rother, Lindsey Struett and Olivia Lawrence as newcomers to the Gamecock team. The squad will begin practicing in September with fall competitions starting at the end of the month.