Charlotte trio reunites with South Carolina softball

New South Carolina softball coach Ashley Chastain is already adding reinforcements in the form of three transfers with whom she is familiar.

Arianna Rodi, Sam Gress, and Lexi Winters — all transfers who played for Chastain at Charlotte — have announced commitments to the Gamecocks since Chastain took over the program a couple of weeks ago.

“It means the world to be able to play with them again,” Rodi told GamecockCentral. “Lexi and I have grown to be best friends as we came to Charlotte in the same recruiting class. She’s been my rock on the field and off the field for the last two years.

“Sam is such a competitive athlete and just makes everyone around her better with her attitude and leadership. Having Lexi and Sam being battery mates coming in together is a huge advantage as they are already so comfortable with each other.”

[GamecockCentral for $1: In-depth coverage and a great community]

Rodi, a Cranston, R.I. native, was a Softball America First Team All-American this season after she hit .353 and slugged .788 with 22 home runs and 55 RBI as a sophomore with the 49ers.

The sophomore first baseman’s totals were the second-most RBI, fourth-best slugging, and fourth-best on-base percentage in school history.

Gress, a rising senior right-handed pitcher who began her career at N.C. State before transferring to Charlotte, was a Second Team All-American Athletic Conference performer for the Niners last season.

The Harrisburg, P.A. native made 33 appearances in the circle with 13 starts posting a 2.57 ERA with a 14-10 record, three saves, and one complete game. She collected 92 strikeouts with a .210 opponents’ batting average.

The move is a homecoming for the Lexington, S.C. native and White Knoll graduate Winters, the 2024 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

The rising junior catcher played and started in 50 games at catcher, posting a .230 batting average with five home runs and 25 RBI.

As a defender, she allowed just 18 stolen bases all season, only one in conference play, and did not allow a passed ball all season.

“At Charlotte, all of us were so close because of the culture that Coach Ashley instilled,” Rodi continued. “Being very close off the field made the chemistry on the field so much better and I believe it led to a lot of the success we had.”

[On3 App: Get South Carolina push notifications from GamecockCentral]

Chastain, who was named the head coach a couple of weeks ago, spoke on using the transfer portal to quickly supplement the roster.

“The transfer portal, we have a lot of experience with. Last few years at Charlotte I think it was a way that we brought a lot of experience into the program that I was leading at that time and had some success in a short amount of time,” Chastain said.

“But I mean, I think you have to use the portal. I think it’s a great way to give players opportunities as a new start. Everyone has a story, everyone has a different journey. I think it’s really important to get to know that in the recruiting process as we go through the portal.”

In addition to the Charlotte trio, Charleston Southern RHP transfer Nealy Lamb has also announced a pledge to the Gamecocks.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!