AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken head softball coach Jerry Snyder announced the addition of two junior college transfers to the 2014 Pacer softball roster on Monday, April 29.
The two players will join the Pacers from the Aiken Technical College team that hosted and competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Region X Women's Softball Tournament. Aiken Tech finished the 2013 season 37-22.
Ashley Metts joins the Pacer program as an infielder originally from Moncks Corner, S.C.
At Aiken Tech, Metts was named the 2013 NJCAA Region X Player of the Year. Metts also received Region X First-Team and All-Tournament Team plaudits in 2013.
"Ashley brings not only a good glove to the team, but more importantly a great bat," Snyder said. "She led the Aiken Tech team with 13 home runs this year. She's a hard worker and a great kid."
Another infielder, Samantha Chubb, a Summerville, S.C. native, will also join the Pacer roster from Aiken Tech.
Chubb earned 2013 NJCAA Region X Second-Team and All-Tournament Team accolades at Aiken Tech. She was also recognized in high school as the 2012 SCISA AAA HSSR Player of the year and as a 2012 HSSR All-State selection.
"All I can say is Sam is fearless on the corners. She's a tough kid that is always dirty at the end of a game," Snyder said. "She also brings a big stick; she was second on the Aiken Tech team with 10 home runs this season.
"We wanted to bring in kids that could really pound the ball. Ashley and Sam bring a combined 23 home runs to the team," Snyder said. "We struggled to score runs at times this season, and we feel like the addition of these two proven collegiate athletes will help us improve immediately in that area."
The duo joins a team that went 25-21-1 in 2013; the Pacers' 25 wins means they have won 20 or more games 19 times in the past 20 seasons.
USC Aiken was 11-11 in conference play and advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Softball Tournament semifinals by upsetting 13th-ranked North Georgia 5-2 in the quarterfinals.
Kaitlyn White (McAllen, Texas/College of Charleston), Lindsey Jones (North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta HS) and India Kornegay (Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula HS) were honored by the conference as Peach Belt Conference All-Conference selections. Brittney Williamson and Alyssa Cook were chosen to the Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament Team as well.
