Nov. 14, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gamecock head softball coach Beverly Smith announces the signing of six players during the fall signing period, all who will debut in the Garnet and Black in the spring of 2015.
For her fourth signing class, Smith locked up three of the top players in South Carolina, gaining outfielder Caroline Cash (Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman), catcher Aubrey Rabun (Summerville, S.C./Ashley Ridge) and infielder Krystan White (Chesterfield, S.C./Chesterfield). She also went to California to grab pitcher Hayley Copeland (Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza) and infielder Kamryn Watts (Torrance, Calif./Torrance) while picking up Pennsylvania catcher/utility Jordyn Augustus (Orefield, Pa./Parkland).
“I am thrilled with the addition of six excellent players to the Gamecock Softball team,” said Smith on her new class. “Probably my favorite thing about this class is their passion for being Gamecocks. They have already formed a bond and connection with each other, the coaching staff and our current team. They all will make a smooth transition next year into Gamecock Nation.”
Augustus is a two-time first-team Lehigh Valley Conference All-Star, while The Morning Call named her to its all-area team in 2012. Playing for Barry Search’s Parkland squad, she has served as team captain for three years and earned team MVP/offensive player of the year accolades in 2013. A four-year member of the high honor roll, Augustus played travel ball for Bill Conroy’s Beverly Bandits.
Cash plays for coach Kim Hames at Dorman High School and has twice been honored by the High School Sports Report (HSSR) as part of their 4A All-State team. A team MVP and offensive MVP for five seasons already, Cash has also been named to the honor roll and been a part of the Beta club. Last summer, she played on the Atlanta Vipers travel-ball team, helping them win the ASA Girls’ Gold 18U tournament in Clearwater, Fla. She’s also played with Bryan Pack’s Carolina Elite.
Copeland, a 5-11 righty, has twice been named all-state by CalHiSports.com, helping Ed Tunstall’s Esperanza team to three-consecutive league titles. As a junior, she posted an 18-4 record with a 1.11 ERA, fanning 228 batters in 144 innings. She’s also been a part of two Premier Girls Fastpitch national championship teams with Bruce Richardson’s SoCal Athletics travel-ball squad, the same group where current Gamecock freshman Kaylea Snaer played.
Rabun has three all-state honors on her resume from both HSSR and the South Carolina Coaches Association for Women’s Sports (CAWS) while playing for Angi Brush’s Ashley Ridge squad. She’s played travel ball with the South Carolina Bandits, organized by Ken Bailey.
Watts earned 2013 All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Coaches Association Division 3 first-team honors last year, and the Daily Breeze has twice named her to the all-area team. Watts played for Nemesis Elite in travel ball, the same group that produced former Gamecock Easton All-American Samie Garcia.
White, a two-time SC CAWS all-state player at Chesterfield for coach Freddie Gaskins, has helped the Golden Rams claim two state titles in 2010 and 2012. She’s also earned HSSR all-rookie (2012) and 2A all-state (2013) honors. A member of the Beta Club and the All-A Honor Roll, White plays for Tony Genovese’s Carolina Elite squad.
“The class boasts the best in-state talent with Caroline Cash, Krystan White and Aubrey Rabun,” Smith remarked. “Caroline is a smooth lefty hitter that will add depth in the outfield. Aubrey adds power to the hitting lineup and offers excellent experience behind the plate. Krystan will impact the middle infield immediately with her strong arm and excellent range. Joining Krystan in the middle infield is Kamyrn Watts; I expect that they will be an exciting tandem up the middle. Kamyrn is a dynamic player with great instincts. Jordyn Augustus is a player that can do it all; her competitive nature and versatility is a coach’s dream. Rounding out the class is Hayley Copeland, who will make a big impact for us in the circle. Coming from one of the top summer programs in the country, Hayley is battle-tested and will be ready to compete against SEC hitters.
“The 2014 season will be exciting for South Carolina Softball, and the signing of this 2014 class continues to make it special. This is a great group of student-athletes that not only possess softball talent but also all carry the strength of character needed to be successful at this level. I am so happy to welcome them to the University of South Carolina, our tremendous athletics department and especially our softball family.”
South Carolina’s 2014 season begins in February, while the team hosts the 2014 SEC Softball Tournament over May 7-10 at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
