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South Carolina softball's Sam Gress drafted

by:Kevin Miller05/21/25

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South Carolina softball's Sam Gress. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral
South Carolina softball's Sam Gress. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral

South Carolina softball is in the midst of its best season in quite some time. The Gamecocks will continue their postseason run this weekend with a Super Regional matchup in Columbia against the UCLA Bruins.

Serving as a bit of an interlude between the Regional and Super Regional, though, was the Fastpitch United Pro Series Softball Draft. On Tuesday, the Florida Vibe selected Gamecock right-handed pitcher Sam Gress with their second pick. With the pick, Gress became the fourth USC product ever drafted professionally. The Florida Vibe also picked fellow USC pitcher Alawna Vawter in 2024 before she made her way over to Team Blaze in Athletes Unlimited Softball this year.

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The sixth-year senior earned her place in the draft. Following her transfer from Charlotte to South Carolina alongside head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, Gress had a strong season in garnet and black. She was one of five Gamecocks on the NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team and the only player on the team selected to the All-SEC squad and the SEC All-Defensive Team.

On the year, Gress has logged a 2.93 ERA and 1.35 WHIP en route to a 13-9 overall record. She has also registered five saves, the top mark in the SEC this season. Gress has been a tremendous leader for the resurgent South Carolina softball program, as well.

Gress and the Gamecocks will take the field next on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2. The ESPN app will make the contest available via streaming. Game two will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, but ESPN will handle the broadcast. (The ESPN app will stream the matchup.) An if-necessary game three on Sunday does not yet have a set time or any available broadcast information.

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