April 1, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. –

South Carolina senior shortstop Samie Garcia went with the 14th overall selection in the 2013 National Pro Fastpitch Draft, joining the NY/NJ Comets as their fourth-round selection.

Garcia leads South Carolina in nine offensive categories in 2013, a year after earning a spot on the CollegeSportsMadness.com All-SEC second team. In her first two years in Columbia, she led the Gamecocks in runs twice and hits, on-base percentage and stolen bases once each.

“The Comets hit a home run with the selection of Samie Garcia,” said Gamecock head coach Beverly Smith. “She is a dynamic defensive player and will add speed and a potent bat offensively. I am looking forward to watching Samie compete in the NPF. She is a great ambassador for the sport of softball and will represent the South Carolina Gamecocks well.”

Garcia ranks second in NCAA Division I with six triples and 17th in runs per game (1.13) in 2012, while she also stands in the top 10 in the Southeastern Conference in seven offensive categories, including sixth in batting average (.422) and seventh in stolen bases (15). Garcia will finish her Gamecock career as one of the best hitters in South Carolina history, standing in the top five currently in batting average (.364, 3rd), on-base percentage (.433, 3rd) and slugging percentage (.535, 4th), among other categories.

For South Carolina, Garcia is the first choice in the NPF Draft in Smith’s tenure. Smith coached NY/NJ Comet catcher Brittney McKinney during her four-year career at North Carolina.

The Gamecocks begin a 10-game home stand on Wed., April 3 with a single game against Appalachian State. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. EDT at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.