Jan. 9, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team started its spring practice season on Sunday, putting in some hitting time in the windy conditions at Beckham Field.

The afternoon helped the 23-member Gamecock squad get its feet back under it after a month away from campus and over two months since its last team drills in late October. The team split time, hitting both in the cage and live at the plate.

Head coach Beverly Smith said she was pleased with the first day back, which concluded with a team meeting at Carolina Stadium. The team finished up some paperwork and picked up their schedule for the rest of the semester. Personnel from academics came by with a talk about the life skills events upcoming in the spring as well as setting a team goal for grades.

South Carolina starts its 38th year of intercollegiate softball on Feb. 11 in the Palmetto State Showdown, a six-team, all-South Carolina tournament at historic Beckham Field. The Gamecocks are scheduled to face Charleston Southern at 3 p.m. EST on the opening Friday of the season.