Softball Announces Four Signees On Signing Day
COLUMBIA, S.C. —- South Carolina softball and head coach Beverly Smith proudly announced four future Gamecocks signed their national letters of intent on Wednesday. Ellie Bailey, Karsen Ochs, Hannah Kumiyama and Bailey Betenbaugh all signed their NLI and are set to join the Gamecocks next year.
The 2019 Class has been committed to South Carolina for a long time so I’ve been anxiously waiting for them to be able to sign the National letter of Intent,” Smith said. “On the field, This class adds depth on the mound and at the plate for us. Just as important as their softball skills, this is class adds value to the program because they are great people. I look forward to seeing Hannah, Bailey, Ellie and Karsen every day in the Garnet and Black.”
The Gamecocks are coming off a 49-17 season in which Carolina finished third in the SEC and reached its second-ever super regional. The 49 wins were the most of the Beverly Smith era as the Gamecocks won the Columbia Regional.
ELLIE BAILEY
Ellie Bailey joins Carolina from Tom Bean, Texas, where she attended Tom Bean High School. Bailey picked the Gamecocks over Oregon, Tennessee, UCF and North Carolina. During the last four years, she was named the 13-3A Newcomer of the Year, 13-2A Defensive Player of the Year and 13-2A Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2018, she solidified her place as an all-time standout at her high school as she eventually broke every offensive career school record outside of home runs.
Showing the traits of a true athlete, Bailey also lettered in track & field at Tom Bean High School and was a regional finalist in the discus.
KARSEN OCHS
Karsen Ochs joins the Gamecocks from Macon, Ga., where she attended First Presbyterian Day School. She picked Carolina over Georgia, Syracuse, Texas A&M and Tennessee. During her high school career she was named the Region 7A Player of the Year, selected as the top Defensive Player of the Year for FPD, was selected as one of the top-15 players in the USA Elite Select for the 2018/2019 graduating class and was ranked as the 59th-best softball player in the country.
Ochs’ place as one of the best in her school’s history is cemented with eight school records from her time with the Kars.
She found plenty of success off the field, as well, as Ochs was a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta. A natural leader, she was one of her high school’s Sports Advisory council Representatives. Ochs was also named a Georgia Regional Positive Softball Winner during her highly-successful career.
HANNAH KUMIYAMA
Hannah Kumiyama joins South Carolina from Lexington, S.C., where she attended Lexington High School. Kumiyama picked the Gamecocks over Michigan and Texas A&M. The sister of current Gamecock Alyssa Kumiyama, she lettered in basketball and softball during her high school career.
This will be the second time during the Smith era the Gamecocks have had sisters play on the same team.
BAILEY BETENBAUGH
Bailey Betenbaugh joins the Gamecocks from Union, S.C., where she attended Union County High School. Betenbaugh picked Carolina over Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and College of Charleston. During the last four years she was named the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year (2017), Region Player of the Year three times, Upstate Player of the Year (2017) and had the No. 7 GPA in her graduating class.
In 2018, she helped lead her team to a state championship and was named the SCCAWS 4A Player of the Year for the second-consecutive year and received All-State honors for the third-straight season.
While shining on the softball diamond, Betenbaugh also lettered in volleyball twice and was a member of the National Honors Society.
Continue to check with gamecocksonline.com for more information on the Gamecocks and Carolina softball.
