Sept. 26, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina gets its first fall competition on the softball diamond this weekend in an event at Charlotte. The Gamecocks take on the host 49ers to start and end the event while also facing Greensboro College and Elon.

With a 20-person roster that includes nine newcomers, Gamecock head coach Beverly Smith gets her first chance to see these players in action. Of the newcomers, three are transfers, including juniors Brooke Barnhill (Spartanburg Methodist) and Ashlyn Masters (NW Florida St.) and sophomore Lakyn Shull (Furman). The trio brings collegiate experience to a team that lost five starters from last season. Also joining the squad for the first time this weekend are freshmen Ansley Ard, Jordan Bizzell, Katie Marks, Lauren Masters, Alaynie Page and Kelly Plsecow.

Four seniors return for Smith, all of which have started in the past for the Gamecocks. Redshirt seniors Audrey Broyles and Kelley Dillon spend their fifth year in the collegiate game this season, while seniors Samie Garcia and Shelby Gonzales return as two of the four position starters back from the 2012 team that went 23-32.

Other returning starters include juniors Dana Hathorn and Chelsea Hawkins. Hawkins, a second-team All-South honoree last year, tied with Garcia for second on the team in home runs a year ago.

South Carolina and Charlotte face off at 6 p.m. on Friday at the D.L. Phillips Complex, while on Saturday, the Gamecocks battle Greensboro College at 10 a.m. The Sunday contests for the Gamecocks start with the 49ers again at 11 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. against Elon.