By Thomas Grant Jr.
This weekend at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field is a Homecoming for two former Lake Murray softball standouts.
When 13th-ranked University of Georgia faces 11th ranked South Carolina in a 3-game series, it marks the return to the region of junior catcher Sarah Gordon of Lexington and shortstop Precious Bross of Irmo.
Both teams look to rebound from losing series the past weekend. The Lady Bulldogs (14-3, 1-2) dropped 2-3 to Tennessee while the Gamecocks (20-3, 0-3) were swept by second-ranked Oklahoma in three games decided by one run.
Gordon enters the series with South Carolina leading Georgia with 25 RBI, 25 hits and five home runs. She’s batting .362 and has a .900 fielding percentage while playing every position except at pitcher.
Bross has seen action in 15 games with six runs scored and two RBIs. She’s primarily been utilized as a pinch runner by Georgia as she gets assimilated into college play.
Prior to this past weekend, the Gamecocks were off to their best start in school history. A big factor in their success are two other former Lake Murray players – catcher Lexi Winters and infielder Karley Shelton.
A graduate of White Knoll who transferred from Clemson, Winters is batting .355 with 25 RBI and four RBI. In this past Friday’s 10-9 loss to the Lady Sooners, she went 3-3 with five RBIs and two runs scored.
Shelton, who also graduated from Lexington, is batting .355 with 21 RBI, three RBI and 14 walks.
“I’m excited to see Sarah and Karley play,” Lexington head coach Laura Epps said. “They are both having great starts to the season. It’s a testament to our program to have to key players in the SEC. Both are exceptional players and young ladies.”
Gametimes are 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
(Photos courtesy of the University of Georgia) (Photos courtesy of the University of South Carolina athletics)
