Softball | January 26, 2023

AUGUSTA, Ga. – University of South Carolina Aiken softball standouts Emily Ayers and Mallory Shaver have been named to the PBC Preseason All-Conference Team, which was announced Thursday morning.

Ayers, a senior catcher from North Augusta, S.C., hit .346 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI during the 2022 campaign. A second-team all-league and all-PBC tournament team selection, Ayers notched nine doubles and slugged .586 on the year while starting all 51 contests. She posted 15 multi-hit performances and 15 multi-RBI games.

Shaver, a sophomore from Mint Hill, N.C., led the team with a .382 batting average. She crushed seven round-trippers and drove in 35 RBI while slugging .592 for the season. During her rookie campaign, Shaver pounded out 11 doubles, had 58 hits and crossed home plate 20 times. She had 17 multi-hit contests and 10 multi-RBI games, including a five-RBI effort in the win over Georgia Southwestern.

In the PBC Preseason Poll, USC Aiken was tabbed seventh with 36 points. North Georgia was picked to win the league while Columbus State (69 points) and Georgia Southwestern (61 points) rounded out the top three. Lander (59 points), Flagler (43 points) and Young Harris (43 points) were selected ahead of USC Aiken. USC Beaufort (24 points), Georgia College & State (19 points) and Augusta (15 points) rounded out the poll.

The Pacers are coming off a 29-22 campaign and finished sixth in the PBC a season ago. 

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team opens the 2023 campaign Saturday, Feb. 4 when they host Francis Marion in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. 

Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
 
1. North Georgia (9) 81
2. Columbus State 69
3. Georgia Southwestern 61
4. Lander 59
t5. Flagler 43
t5. Young Harris 43
7. USC Aiken 36
8. USC Beaufort 24
9. Georgia College & State University 19
10. Augusta 15
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
 
1b - Mallory Shaver, USC Aiken
1b - Olivia Sinquefield, North Georgia
2b - Zoe Willis, Georgia Southwestern
3b - Katelyn Wood, Georgia Southwestern
SS - Ka'naya Jones, Lander
SS - Madi Perry, North Georgia
C - Emily Ayers, USC Aiken
OF - Abbie Behe, Lander
OF - Shannon Antonini, Lander
OF - Jolie Lester, North Georgia
UT - Hannah Rose Corbin, Columbus State
P - Kristen Davis, North Georgia