COLUMBUS – CSU Softball begins their season this weekend in Newberry, SC against the Wolves of Newberry College at the Smith Road Softball Complex.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday Feb. 1 – 1:00 p.m. ET & 3:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 2 - 12:00 p.m. ET
Matchup vs Newberry College
Columbus State is 2-2 against the Wolves with their last matchup on February 17, 2024. In that game, the Cougars lost 4-11 at home to tie the record between these teams. The most recent win CSU had over Newberry was March 3, 2018, with an 8-5 win at Cougar Field.
Scouting the Wolves
In their 2024 season, Newberry finished with a split even record of 25-25 overall and 11-13 in the South Atlantic Conference. The Wolves stood strong at home going 16-4 under the lead from returning head coach Mitch Smith.
Previewing the Cougars
Ahead of the 2025 season, Columbus States ranked first out of nine teams with four first-place votes and 60 points overall. The Cougars are coming off a successful 2024 season being named the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Champions for the first time since 2013. The team ended their season last year going 35-24, posting a 16-8 PBC record.
During the 2025 season, there will be 25 games held at Cougar Field with 31 away games, six being in neutral grounds. Of these games, 24 will be against PBC teams looking to take away their conference champion title.
Head Coach Brad Huskisson is entering his 18th season with a plan to defend their PBC Champion title. With the team graduating 10 seniors last season, 10 new faces were added onto the team with plenty of potential. Despite being a new, young team, four seniors return to lead the way, including Madison McDonald, Madison Norrell and Julianna Franklin, also welcoming senior transfer Mae Durham from Point University.
With graduating star pitchers, Sophomore Gracyn Gurley returns after blooming late in the season. In her freshman year, Gurley appeared in 11 games, making one start. She posted a 4.68 ERA in 25.0 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts. Gurley pitched 4.0 innings in relief during the PBC Tournament Championship game against UNG, holding them to two runs which got her named onto the 2024 All-Peach Belt Conference Tournament Team.
While losing eight starters from their championship season, Huskisson mentions that there are "plenty of people on the team last year that must replace last year's starters that should have enough experience." The addition of new players creates more depth for the team itself and every position as talent shines from this new group of Cougars. Columbus State adds eight freshmen onto the team including Abrianna Green, Lily Miller, Rylie Beddingfield, Avery Hays, Carlee Wilson, Ella Hopper, Aubree Ussery, and Madison Hanchey.
