Softball | January 23, 2025

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The USCA softball team has been selected fifth in the PBC Preseason Poll, which was announced Thursday afternoon.

Head coach Jaclin Poole's team is coming off a 29-22 ledger. Her squad returns three all-PBC performers from a season ago – Payton Baker, Lakyn Phillips and Mallory Shaver.

Columbus State was picked to win the league while North Georgia and Flagler completed the top three spots. Lander was selected fourth. Georgia Southwestern, Georgia College & State University, USC Beaufort and Augusta were sixth through ninth, respectively.

Additionally, Baker, Shaver and Kate Newberry were named to the PBC Preseason all-conference team.

A season ago, Baker posted 14 wins and tossed 19 complete games. The CSC Academic All-District selection was a two-time PBC Pitcher of the Week. Baker struck out 10 or more batters three times in 2024, including a season-high 13 against Benedict. She had 11 strikeouts against Flagler and 10 at Anderson.

In 2024, Newberry played in 46 games, earning 36 starts. She accounted for a .336 batting average. Seventeen of her 38 hits went for extra bases, including 11 home runs. Newberry had a .681 slugging percentage and a 1.073 OPS. She was named PBC Freshman of the Week three times.  

Last year, Shaver played in 46 games, earning 45 starts. She batted .398 and crushed 17 extra base hits, including 10 home runs. Shaver slugged .707 and sported a .483 on-base percentage. She had 10 multi-RBI contests, including six three-RBI games. Shaver also had 15 multi-hit contests.

Poole's team opens the season Saturday, Feb. 1 with a doubleheader at Mount Olive.

Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Columbus State (4) 60
2. North Georgia (2) 55
3. Flagler 52
4. Lander 47
5. USC Aiken 32
6. Georgia Southwestern 27
7. Georgia College & State University 24
8. USC Beaufort 14
9. Augusta 13
 
Preseason All-Conference Team

1b - Mallory Shaver, USC Aiken
2b - Bobbi Poff, Augusta
3b - Bailee Roberts, Augusta
3b - Kam Caldwell, GCSU
SS - Sydney Stewart, Flagler
C -Karlie Gutierrez, GCSU
OF - Emily Allen, Lander
OF - Kyla Knier, Flagler
OF - Ashlyn Rogers, Georgia Southwestern
UT - Kate Newberry, USC Aiken
P - Payton Baker, USC Aiken