South Carolina softball coach Ashley Chastain Woodard adds another Gamecock alum to coaching staff

South Carolina softball is off to a scorching start to the 2025 season. The Gamecocks are a perfect 5-0 following two walk-off wins over a ranked Virginia squad and three additional shutout victories the rest of the weekend. First-year head coach (and USC alum Ashley Chastain Woodard) made the most of her first week leading the Carolina program.

The winning continued off the diamond on Tuesday. Chastain Woodard brought on another South Carolina alum to join her Gamecocks coaching staff. The University of South Carolina announced that Karsen Ochs Hanna will become the team’s director of operations. The former USC pitcher graduated in 2023 following over 200 innings pitched and a stellar academic career.

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From the South Carolina Athletics release:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina softball head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard announced the addition of Gamecock alumnus Karsen Ochs Hanna as the program’s director of operations. Ochs Hanna was a pitcher for Carolina from 2020-23.

“It’s always a great day for our program when you have the opportunity to bring your own home,” Chastain Woodard said. “I am thrilled to announce Karsen Ochs Hanna as our new director of softball operations. Karsen and I share a deep love and passion for this program as she wore the Garnet and Black for her career. She has a servant’s heart and an excellent skill set to thrive in this particular role. Our program will be better due to her pouring her heart into our players and staff each day. Karsen is the perfect person at the perfect time and everything we need in a director of operations to take this program to a championship level.”

Ochs Hanna is a double Summa Cum Laude graduate from South Carolina, earning her Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications in May of 2023, with a cognate in psychology, sociology and religious studies. In August of 2024 she earned her Master of Science from the College of Education in coaching education, focusing on collegiate sports and mental performance. She spent four seasons on the field with the Gamecocks. She finished her career with 29 games started and 82 appearances over 210 1-3 innings. She recorded 17 wins and three saves. She ranks second all-time in program history in relief appearances. As a student-athlete, she was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years and was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete three times. In 2023 she was named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

“I am so excited to join the staff,” Ochs Hanna said. “Their Carolina roots run deep, as do mine, and I’m excited to come alongside them to continue building this program towards greatness. My time as a student athlete here was invaluable and I’m grateful to Ashley for the opportunity to come back home and aid in creating an even better experience for our current and future players.”

Since graduating, Ochs Hanna has continued to be involved in the softball world. During the 2024 season she served as the team’s broadcast analyst for their SEC Network+ games. She also served as the head softball coach at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. Most recently she was the collegiate area representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she worked with eight collegiate teams, including five softball programs, leading worship team initiatives and Bible studies and developing significant fundraising relationships.

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

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