Gamecocks Host Furman, Atlanta Braves World Champions Trophy Tour Wednesday

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team hosts in-state foe Furman for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 20, with first pitch at 3 p.m. The games will be a free event as part of the Atlanta Braves World Champions Trophy Tour Presented by Truist. 
 
Fans will have an opportunity to take photos with the Braves 2021 World Series trophy from 4-7 p.m. As Gamecock fans enter the stadium, they will be given a card with a group number on it to minimize time spent waiting in line. Groups will receive a text message when it is time to head to the 3rd base side of the concourse and turn in their cards for their photo opportunity.
 
Gameday Information
When: April 20 | 3 p.m. (DH)
Where: Columbia, S.C.
Venue: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field (1,480)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast Game 1 | Game 2
Live Video: SECN+ Game 1 | Game 2
Series History: South Carolina leads 66-10-1
Last Meeting: South Carolina 9, Furman 1 | April 14, 2021 | Columbia, S.C.
 
South Carolina Gamecocks 23-21, 2-13 SEC
Coach: Beverly Smith | 12th Season
AVG Leader: .341 | Riley Blampied
RBI Leader: 37 | Katie Prebble
Home Run Leader: 12 | Katie Prebble
ERA Leader: 2.19 | Skylar Trahan
Strikeout Leader: 69 | Bailey Betenbaugh
Wins Leader: 5 | Three tied
 
Furman Paladins 15-24, 3-6 SoCon
Interim Coach: Stacey Johnson-Whitfield |1st Season
AVG Leader: .298 | Emily Bartlett
RBI Leader: 23 | Riley Ludlam
Home Run Leader: 5 | Emily Bartlett
ERA Leader: 3.04 | Bailey Tanner
Strikeout Leader: 60 | Sierra Tufts
Wins Leader: 6 | Sierra Tufts
 
Leading off

• Under Bev Smith, the Gamecocks and Paladins have played 10 of her 12 seasons.
• In its history, South Carolina has play Furman more than any other program (77).
• Kentucky and Florida are second (73), and North Carolina (71) is the second most against a non-conference opponent.
• The Paladins are led by former Gamecock standout pitcher Stacey Johnson-Whitfield. She played from 2001-04, ironically throwing one of Carolina’s 49 no-hitters against Furman nearly 18 years ago to the day, on April 21, 2004.
• Katie Prebble hit 10 home runs in her first 24 games of the season, which were the most by any Gamecock in recorded history (since 1982). 
• Through 44 games, Prebble’s 12 home runs are tied for the most with Alaynie Page (2015). Her 12 home runs are tied for fourth most in a single season.
• The 37 RBIs by Prebble are the fifth most under Smith.
• Jordan Fabian’s 27 walks are second and Hannah Kumiyama’s 25 are fourth to start a season under Smith. 
• The 144 walks by the team are the second most under coach Smith through 44 game (2019, 154).
• Jordan Fabian’s 16 stolen bases through 41 games are the most since Samie Garcia (17) in 2013, the second most under Smith, and tied for 14th in a season.
• The 57 stolen bases by Carolina are the most to start a season since 2013. It’s the third time under Smith they’ve stolen at least 57 (2011, 13)
• The 221 RBIs are the most through 44 games since 2019, and are third most under Smith (2013, 242; 2019, 260). 
• Freshman Emma Sellers’ 29 hits through 44 games are the most by a freshman since Mackenzie Boesel had 47 hits in 2017.
• The Gamecocks opened the season at home for the third straight year. Last season the team opened the season with Carolina Classic, but was canceled due to weather. 
• South Carolina has opened the season at home in 7 of 12 seasons under Bev Smith.
• The 2022 roster features 22 total players. A total of seven different states are represented.

 
For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecockSoftball.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.