Softball | January 28, 2025
Each week, USCA will post notes.
Preseason Accolades
The PBC announced the preseason all-conference team recently and three Pacers were on the squad.
Payton Baker (pitcher),
Kate Newberry (utility) and
Mallory Shaver (first base) were all named to the team.
Nine Upperclassmen
Head coach
Jaclin Poole's team has a wealth of experience with nine upperclassmen on the roster, including one graduate student, five seniors and three juniors.
Young, But Experienced
Overall, the team has eight underclassmen on the roster, including four sophomores. Of the four sophomores all were here a year ago. All saw playing time and some were entrenched in the line-up nearly every contest.
On The Road Again
USCA stays on the road for two more doubleheaders – playing at Newberry on Feb. 5 and at North Greenville on Feb. 8. The eight consecutive road games mark the longest road trip to start a season for the program since a nine-game road swing in 1995.
One Week Away
The program is just a few days away from opening a brand new facility on Feb. 9 against Francis Marion. Game times are currently slated for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for the doubleheader.
In The Circle
Headlining the rotation are seniors
Payton Baker and
Lakyn Phillips. The two have combined for 76 wins in their careers and 916 strikeouts. They have combined for 974.1 innings of work and have appeared in 192 contests. The two have combined for 96 complete games and have nine saves to their credit.
In The Record Books
In addition to
Payton Baker and
Lakyn Phillips being in the record books, senior
Mallory Shaver is also in the top-10 list for multiple categories. This includes home runs (second with 27), RBI (third with 106) and total bases (seventh with 260).
Interesting Opener
This season, USCA opens its campaign at Mount Olive. While the teams have played 10 times in the history of the program, this one has a unique twist. Former USCA softball standout India Kornegay, who holds every pitching record in the Pacers' history, stepped in as the head coach for the Trojans recently and her first career game will be against her alma mater.
Inside The Numbers
This week, USCA opens the season with games at Mount Olive on Saturday, Feb. 1 and at Barton on Sunday, Feb. 2. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 240-213 (53.0 percent) in Saturday games and 129-151 (46.1 percent) in Sunday affairs. During the same time, the program is 2-0 on Feb. 1 and 2-1 on Feb. 2.
Against The Opponents
This week, USCA opens the season with games at Mount Olive on Saturday, Feb. 1 and at Barton on Sunday, Feb. 2. The Pacers lead the all-time series against the Trojans 6-4. USCA holds a 7-1 edge in the all-time series against the Bulldogs.
