GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team begins the 2024 season in Columbia, South Carolina in the Carolina Classic, hosted by South Carolina, from Friday, February 9 to Sunday, February 11 at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. The schedule has been changed from what was originally announced, due to weather in the forecast for Sunday.
 
The Spartans will face three different opponents this weekend during the tournament, including the host No. 23 South Carolina, Jacksonville State, and Virginia.
 

Friday, February 9 Opponent: Virginia Where: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field | Columbia, S.C. Time:  10 a.m. Live Stats Tickets   Opponent: No. 23 South Carolina Where: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field | Columbia, S.C. Time:  3 p.m. Watch | Live Stats Tickets

Saturday, February 10 Opponent: Virginia Where: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field | Columbia, S.C. Time:  10 a.m. Live Stats Tickets   Opponent: Jacksonville State Where: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field | Columbia, S.C. Time:  12:30 p.m. Live Stats Tickets

Sunday, February 11 Opponent: Jacksonville State Where: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field | Columbia, S.C. Time:  12:30 p.m. Live Stats Tickets

 
RUNDOWN ON THE SPARTANS

• UNCG was chosen to finish first in The Southern Conference (SoCon) Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Spartans received four first-place votes.
• Senior Brooklynn Maxwell, redshirt-junior Maddie Spell, and junior Jorde Chartrand were named to the SoCon Preseason first team.
• Junior Grace Loftin and sophomore Rhyann Jones were named to the SoCon Preseason second team.
• UNCG won its sixth-straight SoCon Regular Season title in 2023.
• The Spartans won their third SoCon Tournament Championship in route to the program's seventh NCAA Tournament bid.
• This was their third ticket to the NCAA Tournament in six years.
• Maycin Brown and Blayke Batten return for their fifth year in the Blue & Gold.
• UNCG added five freshmen and one transfer to the 2024 roster.

RUNDOWN ON THE VIRGINIA CAVALIERS

• Virginia finished the 2023 season 30-22 overall and 8-16 in the ACC.
• The Cavaliers fell to Syracuse in the in the opening round of the ACC Tournament, 8-2.
• The Cavaliers were voted to finish ninth in the 2024 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• Jade Hylton paced the Cavaliers' offense with a .314 batting average in 52 games played. She tallied 26 RBI and crushed 10 home runs.
• Hylton was named the No. 13 middle infielder in the country by D1 Softball.
• From the pitching staff, Eden Bigham returns for Virginia, where she had a 2.52 ERA in 111.0 innings tossed, playing in 29 games. She struck out 115 batters.
• The Spartans and Cavaliers faced off last year in Greensboro on February 16, where Virginia took the win, 6-2.

 
RUNDOWN ON THE NO. 23 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

• South Carolina finished the 2023 season 40-22 overall and 9-15 in the SEC.
• The Gamecocks received votes in every preseason poll. They are ranked No. 17 by Softball America, No. 22 by ESPN/USA Softball and D1softball, and No. 23 by NFCA/USA Today.
• The Gamecocks made their 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance last season, advancing to the Tallahassee Regional Finals.
• South Carolina was voted last in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• Brooke Blankenship returns for the Gamecocks with a .300 batting average, while Riley Blampied and Jen Cummings each tallied 42 RBI last year.
• Blampied crushed seven home runs last year.
• Bailey Betenbaugh is returning in the circle after averaging a 2.41 ERA.

 
RUNDOWN ON THE JACKSONVILLE STATE GAMECOCKS

• Jacksonville State was voted to finish sixth in the Conference USA (CUSA) Preseason Poll after transitioning from the Atlantic Sun Conference.
• The Gamecocks had a 31-22 overall record and 15-9 in the ASUN.
• Lindsey Richardson and Jaliyah Homes was voted to the Preseason All-Conference team.
• The Gamecocks will play in tournaments at South Carolina, Chattanooga, Alabama State, and Georgia.
• Richardson, Emma Jones, and Holmes were selected to the 2023 All-ASUN.
• Jacksonville State welcomes six newcomers to the 2024 roster.
• Richardson led the way with a .389 batting average starting and playing in 53 games. She also led the way with 49 RBI with a .624 slugging percentage.  
• Holmes pitched in 158.1 innings last season tossing a 2.34 ERA and earning a 16-7 record.

 
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UP NEXT
UNCG hosts Winthrop on Wednesday, February 14 in its home opener. The Spartans and Eagles will play a doubleheader with the first game starting at 3:00 p.m. at the UNCG Softball Stadium. Admission is free for all regular season home games.