USC Upstate Softball Welcomes 14 Newcomers to 2020 Roster
9/18/2019 12:06:00 PM | Softball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate head softball coach Chris Hawkins announced today that 14 newcomers will be joining the Spartans for the upcoming 2020 season.
The 14 newcomers blend local talent with players throughout the Southeast and Northwest. The newcomers hail from the states of South Carolina (6), North Carolina (2), Georgia (2), Florida (2), Virginia (1) and Washington (1).
The 2020 newcomers are:Â Emily Ayers, Max Barnes, Isabella Bertot, Mallie Brown, Savannah Brown, Peyton Darnell, Tiffany Dominque, Emily Garza, Gabi Howard, Cheyenne Nunez, Trinity Spear, Truett Taylor, Kasey Widmyer and Dezi Williams.
"I am excited about the addition of 14 newcomers to the 2020 roster," said Hawkins. "These individuals will give us more depth and versatility both at the plate and in the pitching circle. They will help give us a well-rounded team for the upcoming season. I am happy to have them hear as Spartans."
Emily Ayers
Fr. | C/INF | North Augusta, S.C. | North Augusta HS
Ayers graduated from North Augusta High School where she earned six letters in softball. She compiled 137 hits throughout her career to go along with 20 home runs and 129 RBI. Ayers played travel ball for Carolina Elite, Jacksonville Storm and Bandits.
She is the daughter of Ricky and Sherri Ayers.
Max Barnes
Fr. | Util. | Purcellville, Va. | Woodgrove HS
Barnes attended Woodgrove High School where she lettered in softball and indoor track and field. She was part of three state championship teams at Woodgrove while earning LoCo Sports Player of the Year honors. Barnes was also named to the All-State Team twice. She played travel ball for Team SC, Loudoun Storm, True-State Thunder, Shooting Stars and EC Bullets.
She is the daughter of Anand and Margret Barnes.
Isabella Bertot
Fr. | 1B | Coral Springs, Fla. | Coral Glades HS
Bertot graduated from Coral Glades High School where she received four letters in softball. She hit .559 during her junior season with eight home runs and 26 RBI. Over a two-year span, she combined for 57 RBI and hit at least .430 both seasons. Bertot also compiled an on-base percentage over .478 or better as a sophomore and junior. She contributed a .980 fielding percentage as a sophomore. She played travel ball for Gold Coast Hurricanes.
She is the daughter of Pete and Frances Bertot.
Mallie Brown
Jr. | P | Strockbridge, Ga. | Wallace C.C.-Dothan
Brown is transferring to USC Upstate from Wallace Community College-Dothan. She was named All-South Pitcher of the Year and Region 22 Pitcher of the Year after going 29-4 with a 1.87 ERA and 270 strikeouts. Brown graduated from Woodland High School-Dothan where she lettered four years in softball. She played travel ball for the Atlanta Vipers.
She is the daughter of Eric Brown and Dana Wallace.
Savannah Brown
Fr. | P | Mint Hill, N.C. | Hickory Grove Christian School
Brown graduated from Hickory Grove Christian School where she lettered in softball. She was a part of the program's state championship team in 2017. Brown was a three-time All-Conference and All-State performer from 2016-18. She also received the Lions Pride award in 2017. Brown played travel ball for Lady Lightning and NC Bandits.
She is the daughter of Steven and Karen Brown.
Peyton Darnell
Fr. | C | Fort Mill, S.C. | Indian Land HS
Darnell attended Indian Land High School and lettered in softball. She was a three-time All-Region performer while being named All-State as a sophomore and junior. Darnell received Region Player of the Year accolades following her sophomore season. She garnered the Best Offensive Player award both as a sophomore and junior. She played travel ball for Carolina Elite and NC Bandits.
She is the daughter of Tony and Lynn Darnell.
Tiffany Dominque
Fr. | INF | York, S.C. | Clover HS
Dominque attended Clover High School where she lettered in softball, volleyball and basketball. She was the youngest player at Clover to start and win a state championship. Dominque was a part of a state championship team when she was in the eighth grade. Her team also won the region championship in 2016. Dominque was named All-State three years and All-Region four times. She garnered Best Offensive Player honors three times while being named Region Player of the Year as a junior and senior. She holds the career record at Clover for hits. Dominque hit over .400 for four straight seasons highlighted by a .506 average during her senior season. She played travel ball for NC Bandits.
She is the daughter of Fred Polk (stepdad) and Tammy Spears.
Emily Garza
Fr. | INF/OF | Richland, Wash. | Richland HS
Garza graduated from Richland High School where she earned four letters each in softball and basketball. She currently holds the school record in basketball for 3-point field goal percentage in a season. In softball, she hit .357 or better in each of her four seasons including over .450 three times. A two-time team captain selection, Garza competed on four conference, one region and one district championship teams. She was a First and Second Team All-Conference performer and received First Team All-Area accolades as a freshman. She was named Offensive MVP following her junior season. Garza played travel ball for Spirit, Tri-City Fuzion, WA Force, Tri-City Thunder and WA Angels.
She is the daughter of David and Cecilia Garza.
Gabi Howard
So. | 1B/3B | Greenville, S.C. | UNC Greensboro
Howard is transferring to USC Upstate after playing last season at UNC Greensboro. She was a Second Team All-SoCon and All-Freshman Team performer in 2019 after leading the conference in walks (37), and was sixth in home runs (8) and eighth in on-base percentage (.421). Her 37 walks tied for third-most in a season in program history and ranked 54th nationally in walks per game (0.66). She hit .282 with eight home runs and 30 RBI. She lettered in softball and volleyball at Blue Ridge High School. Howard was named High School Sports Report All-Region and South Carolina Coaches Association of Women's Sports All-State each year. She also earned 3A Player of the Year honors following her sophomore season. She received Greenville News All-State accolades twice. She was a part of two region, two district and one upper state championship teams. For volleyball, she was selected All-Region twice and broke the school blocks record as a freshman. She played travel ball for Team South Carolina.
She is the daughter of James and Erica Howard.
Cheyenne Nunez
Jr. | OF | Okeechoebee, Fla. | State College of Florida
Nunez comes to USC Upstate after playing two seasons at State College of Florida. She hit .360 or better offensively in both seasons and holds the program's single-season record for stolen bases. She combined for 61 stolen bases in two seasons highlighted by 38 as a sophomore. Nunez was named First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State. She was also selected the school's Female Athlete of the Year for 2018-19. Nunez lettered four years each in softball, basketball and volleyball at Okeechobee High School. She played on one district championship team. Nunez was voted Most Valuable Player three times in basketball, and once for both softball and volleyball.
She is the daughter of Daniel Sr. and Peggy Nunez.
Trinity Spear
Fr. | OF | Snellville, Ga. | Shiloh HS
Spear graduated from Shiloh High School where she lettered in softball and track and field. She was a member of the school's Environmental and Chess Clubs. Spear played travel ball for Georgia Elite Gold.
She is the daughter of Clinton and Tameeka Spear.
Truett Taylor
Fr. | C/INF | North Augusta, S.C. | Strom Thurmond HS
Taylor attended Strom Thurmond High School where she earned three varsity letters. She received All-State and All-Region accolades throughout her prep career. She compiled 22 doubles during the 2016 season. Taylor was a member of the FFA, Beta Club and National Technical Honors Society. She played travel ball for SmashHouse Gold, SmashHouse Masters and Team GA.
She is the daughter of Keith Taylor and Kelly Tabor.
Kasey Widmyer
Fr. | P/INF | Moore, S.C. | James F. Byrnes HS
Widmyer attended nearby James F. Byrnes High School where she lettered five years in softball. She compiled a .434 career batting average with 23 home runs while compiling a 75-12 record, 1.36 ERA and 643 strikeouts in the circle. Widmyer was named the Herald-Journal/GoUpstate Softball Player of the Year last season by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Last season, Widmyer helped lead Byrnes to the Class 5A state championship game and earned All-State, Region Player of the Year and North-South All-Star honors. She played travel ball for BC Bandits.
She is the daughter of Mike and Jami Widmyer.
Dezi Williams
Fr. | OF | Old Fort, N.C. | McDowell HS
Williams graduated from McDowell High School where she lettered in softball, track and field and basketball. She received Team MVP and All-Conference honors across all three sports. For softball, Williams was also named All-District and All-State. She garnered Female Athlete of the Year accolades during her sophomore year. Williams played travel ball for Firecrackers Softball.
She is the daughter of Charlie Williams and Sherri Creasman.
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