News Summary
South Carolina softball coach Ashley Chastain Woodard announces Lexie Shaver’s commitment for the 2026 season. Formerly at Kennesaw State, Shaver brings versatility and an impressive track record to the Gamecocks, who are enhancing their roster with a focus on competitiveness. She adds to a strong transfer class coming from multiple prominent programs. Shaver’s athletic abilities are expected to improve South Carolina’s offense as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Columbia, South Carolina
South Carolina softball coach Ashley Chastain Woodard has announced the commitment of Lexie Shaver, a utility player formerly with Kennesaw State, for the 2026 season. This marks a significant addition to the Gamecocks’ roster as they look to enhance their performance heading into a new competitive year.
Shaver is following a robust athletic journey, having played for Kennesaw State during the 2025 season, where she showcased her versatility primarily at first base while being proficient in multiple other positions. She is anticipated to infuse speed and athleticism into South Carolina’s offense, particularly after the team lost key players known for their base-stealing capabilities to graduation.
In terms of her record, Shaver had an impressive spring season at KSU, hitting four home runs. Additionally, her freshman year at the junior college level was highlighted by 15 home runs, demonstrating a strong offensive presence. This summer, Shaver also excelled in the Florida Gulf Coast League, earning an All-Star recognition and receiving the FGCL Humanitarian Award for her contributions both on and off the field.
Shaver is the 10th overall commitment for South Carolina from the transfer portal this summer, joining a significant influx of talent that includes players from renowned programs such as Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, Florida, and Kentucky. This transfer class reflects a concerted effort by the coaching staff to build a well-rounded squad capable of competing at a high level.
Currently, South Carolina has commitments from pitchers, outfielders, infielders, and a catcher. The Gamecocks aim to finalize their roster ahead of the upcoming season as they look to improve upon last year’s success.
In the previous season, the South Carolina softball team achieved a remarkable performance under coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, who made history by securing the most wins by a first-year coach. The team reached the NCAA Super Regionals and came close to qualifying for the College World Series, marking a significant milestone in the program’s history.
Having secured Lexie Shaver’s commitment, the Gamecocks are bolstering their collaboration as they prepare for another challenging year in college softball. The addition of a player with Shaver’s caliber not only aims to improve their immediate gameplay but also enhances the overall competitiveness of the program moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- On3: South Carolina Softball Adds Veteran Infielder
- SI: South Carolina Softball Picks Up Former Top 50 Player
- Greenville Online: South Carolina Softball Transfer Portal Tracker
- On3: South Carolina Softball Lands SEC Catcher
- SI: Former UGA Infielder Commits to Gamecocks
- Wikipedia: South Carolina Gamecocks Softball
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