Sept. 17, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A former JUCO All-American and SEC standout Laura Trout has joined the South Carolina softball staff as a volunteer assistant coach, the team announced today.

Rounding out head coach Beverly Smith’s full-time staff, Trout comes to the Gamecocks from Georgia, where she lettered two seasons and helped the Bulldogs to the 2010 Women’s College World Series. Last season, Trout served as a student coach on Lu Harris-Champer’s staff, helping with practice and scouting reports.

A native of Summerville, S.C., Trout played her first two years of college at Spartanburg Methodist College under former Gamecock assistant coach Rick Pauly. A two-time NJCAA All-American and Academic All-American, she helped the Pioneers to two NJCAA World Series berths. Trout earned the 2009 Region X Most Valuable Player award.

Trout completes Smith’s staff, joining associate head coach Lisa Navas, assistant coach Calvin Beamon and graduate student manager Kaela Jackson.

The Gamecocks’ new stadium is rising on the same site that the team has played for the past 30 years. The new state-of-the-art facility opens in March 2013 and will include new locker rooms and indoor facilities for the team, a capacity that will double Beckham Field’s seats as well as new concessions and restrooms for fans.