Feb. 3, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gamecock senior left fielder Alaynie Page garnered a spot on USA Softball’s 2016 Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List, the group announced on Wednesday.

Page, from Boiling Springs, S.C., earned first-team NFCA All-America honors last season after hitting .436 with 15 home runs and 45 RBI. The team’s leadoff hitter in all 60 games, Page set a new program record with a .538 on-base percentage and went a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen-base attempts. She led South Carolina in nearly every major offensive category and added six assists from her post in left field. Page was one of two Southeastern Conference players to have her batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all in the top 40 of NCAA Division I in 2015.

She joins 14 others from the Southeastern Conference on the list. Page also garnered a spot on FloSoftball.com’s watch list for player of the year.

South Carolina, which made its 18th NCAA Tournament last year and the third straight under head coach Beverly Smith, starts its 2016 season on Fri., Feb. 12 in the USF Wilson Demarini Tournament in Tampa, Fla., against 2015 Women’s College World Series finalist Michigan at 9:30 a.m. EST.

Season tickers are available for the 33-game slate set for Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. Prices are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under. Get them today at GamecocksOnline.com/tickets.