South Carolina softball's Sam Gress makes two SEC awards lists, Arianna Rodi excluded
On Friday, the SEC announced its annual softball awards. In a surprise decision, just one South Carolina softball product earned all-conference recognition. Senior pitcher Sam Gress earned an All-SEC spot on the second team. She also picked up SEC All-Defensive Team honors. Gress is the first USC pitcher ever to make the SEC All-Defensive Team and the first Gamecock overall to make it since 2018.
Gress led the SEC with five saves this season and had several big-time appearances as a starter. Through this point in the season, she owns a 12-9 overall record and a 3.12 ERA. As evidenced by her all-defense selection, Gress committed zero errors this season. Perhaps her best defensive play came to seal the Gamecocks’ recent win over Alabama when she snared a comebacker before doubling up a runner at first for the game’s final two outs.
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Several other Gamecocks had an argument for inclusion. Most notably, first baseman Arianna Rodi was not placed on any of the All-SEC teams despite being second in the conference in HR/AB and breaking the South Carolina softball single-season record for home runs. Other players like Quincee Lilio, Karley Shelton, Lexi Winters, and Jori Heard had strong seasons, too. Still, none of Ashley Chastain Woodard’s players had to be stars this season as the group took a more team-centered approach. With a 40-win season already under their belts, that clearly worked for them.
South Carolina softball will learn its NCAA Tournament fate Sunday. The Gamecocks will host a Regional but are right on the line as a top-8 national host. ESPN2 will broadcast the Selection Sunday show at 7:00 p.m. The ESPN app will make the show available via streaming.
