USC starts 2012 campaign with Palmetto Classic at home
The year before Beverly Smith took over as softball coach for South Carolina, the Gamecocks won just 11 games and went 1-27 in the SEC.
Last season, Smith's first, the club won 26 games. Smith was happy with the progress made, but says the players still haven't reached her goal.
"My expectations this year are the same ones I had last year — to finish .500 or better," Smith said. "We didn't reach that goal last season (going 26-30), but if we can get that goal, we will have a shot to make the NCAA tournament. That is our goal. I know my team better this season, and I am excited to get the
season underway."
Carolina will get the 2012 campaign underway Friday at the Palmetto Classic, which will be played here in Columbia at Beckham Field. The Gamecocks will face Tennessee State Friday afternoon, then will turn around and face Western Kentucky and Winthrop on Saturday. USC will finish up the tournament Sunday with a game against Cleveland State.
"We are really just ready to play against someone other than ourselves," Smith said. "We will be facing some quality competition this weekend. I believe all four teams we face are introducing new pitching staffs, so we have to be ready."
With eight position players returning, the Gamecocks will have a mature team this season. Significant returnees include center fielder Lauren Lackey, shortstop Samie Garcia, second baseman Dana Hathorn and pitcher Audrey Broyles.
However, Carolina will have a new face at catcher and little depth on the mound. Sophomore sensation Julie Sarratt, who tossed a no-hitter in her first collegiate start, will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
April Borchardt and Ashley Chastain graduated, which will force the Gamecocks to rely heavily on Broyles and senior Kierstyn White this season.
"To be honest, I'm not too concerned with our pitching staff this season," Smith
said. "Our three pitchers we will throw out there this weekend are excellent. However, we will not have the depth that we had last year. I remember last year we could pitch three pitchers in a game; we can't do that this season. We are going to need a lot of quality starts."
P.J. Fulmer, who started 179 games at catcher in her four-year career at Carolina, will be replaced by junior college transfer Shelby Gonzales. Gonzales had 27 home runs and 104 RBI last season for North Idaho College. The leaders last year in home runs and RBI for Carolina had five and 28, respectively.
Smith says Gonzales will provide more than power for the Gamecocks.
"Shelby brings us a great bat, but she also brings in a lot of experience," Smith said. "All three catchers we brought in to replace P.J. can swing a bat, but Shelby has the most experience."
Winthrop won the Palmetto Showdown in Columbia last year, but Smith is hoping to see a different team from the one that took the field last year.
"I'm looking for our team to come out and compete consistently," Smith said. "I want to see some intensity this season. We have shown it in preseason practice so far; we just have to show it in games now."