What We’re Hearing About South Carolina Softball as the 2025 NCAA Selection Show Looms and Postseason Hopes Hang in the Balance
The South Carolina Gamecocks softball team is nearing one of the most pivotal moments of its season as the 2025 NCAA Selection Show draws closer, and what we’re hearing behind the scenes suggests that anticipation, anxiety, and a cautious optimism are all swirling around the program. Despite the team’s up-and-down stretch through SEC play, the consensus among those close to the program is that the Gamecocks have done enough to remain in the postseason conversation — though their margin for error may have dwindled following a few costly late-season stumbles.
The buzz from Columbia points to a team that knows it’s walking a tightrope, with every pitch, every run, and every moment under scrutiny. The Gamecocks entered the final two weeks of the regular season with their eyes firmly set on securing a strong enough resume to make Selection Sunday less suspenseful. But after dropping a crucial series to Georgia and splitting midweek games, the committee will now have to weigh the team’s full body of work — including its non-conference success, key RPI wins, and a few painful losses that may serve as red flags.
One thing South Carolina has going for it is strength of schedule. According to sources close to the program, the coaching staff remains confident that the Gamecocks’ rigorous SEC slate and multiple matchups against ranked opponents give them a competitive edge over other bubble teams. This year’s SEC was as brutal as ever, with the top-tier teams like Tennessee, Alabama, and LSU all posting dominant campaigns. South Carolina held its own in spurts, picking off a couple of top-10 wins that will stand out to the selection committee.
In talking to program insiders, there’s a recurring sentiment that South Carolina’s pitching staff deserves more credit than it has received nationally. Junior right-hander Alana Vawter, a transfer from Stanford, has anchored the rotation and served as the team’s tone-setter in big games. Her experience in pressure-packed postseason environments could become invaluable if the Gamecocks are able to squeeze into a regional. She’s posted strong numbers throughout the season, and sources say her leadership has been just as impactful as her presence in the circle.
In terms of offensive production, the Gamecocks have struggled with consistency — a trait that’s become a point of internal frustration, particularly among upperclassmen. Some within the program have pointed to an inability to string together quality at-bats in crucial innings, leading to missed opportunities in games that could have shifted the team’s postseason trajectory. But others argue that the team’s scrappy, resilient nature — winning several tight, late-inning contests — reflects a group that finds ways to compete, even when things aren’t clicking.
Another storyline gaining traction in conversations around the program is how head coach Beverly Smith’s leadership is being viewed externally as she continues to guide the team through another challenging SEC gauntlet. Smith, now in her 15th season, has led the Gamecocks to multiple NCAA appearances during her tenure, and there’s a quiet belief that the team’s culture and preparation could be rewarded by the committee’s selection criteria. Several voices close to the team emphasized that Smith’s reputation as a steady hand — someone who emphasizes discipline, fundamentals, and team cohesion — may weigh in the program’s favor when up against less-proven coaching staffs vying for the final tournament spots.
As the Selection Show nears, metrics are being closely analyzed. The Gamecocks currently sit in the mid-40s in RPI, a number that places them squarely on the bubble. However, their wins over top-25 teams, including a memorable upset over then-No. 6 Tennessee earlier in the season, provide valuable counterpoints to the losses they’ve taken. Insiders have indicated that South Carolina’s athletic department has proactively reached out to NCAA officials to ensure that the program’s strength of schedule, injury adversity, and late-season competitiveness are clearly outlined in the selection resume.
Injuries have indeed been a subplot of the 2025 campaign. Junior shortstop Brooke Blankenship missed a stretch of games due to a lower-body injury, forcing the team to shuffle its infield alignment and rely on younger, less experienced players. While her absence was felt both defensively and at the plate, team sources have shared that her return late in the season has reenergized the dugout and brought a sense of urgency to the final stretch. Blankenship’s presence adds depth to the lineup, which could factor into how the team performs if given a postseason opportunity.
Beyond individual performances, there’s a collective feeling that this year’s South Carolina team has battled through more adversity than most. Between close losses, weather-delayed games, and roster fluctuations, the players have grown tighter as a unit. While some teams may crack under such pressure, this group appears to have drawn strength from its shared challenges. According to several assistant coaches, the locker room has been “remarkably united,” and the leadership group — including senior catcher Riley Blampied and second baseman Maddie Gallagher — has set a tone of accountability and belief.
As for fan sentiment, Gamecocks Nation has been holding its breath. The crowd turnout for home games remained solid throughout the season, with several near-capacity weekends at Beckham Field. Supporters are hoping for at least one more chance to watch the team compete on the national stage, and social media chatter reflects both cautious hope and concern about being left out in what’s expected to be a razor-thin margin between the last teams in and out.
Media analysts covering the SEC believe South Carolina’s resume stacks up favorably against other bubble contenders from mid-major conferences. While a .500 or better conference record is often seen as a benchmark, the SEC’s strength gives the Gamecocks a slight buffer, even if they finish just below that mark. “If you’re comparing resumes side by side, South Carolina’s wins against top-25 opponents carry more weight than another team’s 35 wins against weaker competition,” one prominent softball analyst said this week.
Another factor that could play a role is regional balance. Sources familiar with the selection process noted that geography sometimes helps determine the last few teams selected to round out regionals. Given South Carolina’s location and travel logistics, they could serve as a plug-in option for a Southeast regional that’s short on at-large entries. While no team wants to get in simply due to regional proximity, it’s a realistic part of the equation in any given year.
And while no official bracketology is foolproof, several projections released by national outlets still have South Carolina among the “Last Four In,” indicating that the team’s fate may very well hinge on how the final weekend’s results shake out for other bubble teams. Upsets in conference tournaments could push South Carolina to the wrong side of the bubble, but clean finishes by projected auto-bid teams might allow the Gamecocks to sneak in.
Internally, the message remains clear: control what you can. Practice sessions this week have been described as intense but focused, with players determined not to leave anything to chance. “We want to be ready if we get the call,” one coach said, echoing the belief that preparation now could lead to success later. There’s no guarantee South Carolina will be dancing come Selection Sunday, but there’s a strong belief within the program that if the committee gives them a shot, they’ll make the most of it.
If South Carolina does receive a bid, the team would likely enter the NCAA Tournament as a low seed in a tough regional — but don’t mistake that for a team that would be satisfied with just making it. Coaches and players alike feel they haven’t played their best softball yet and believe that getting hot at the right time could allow them to shock a higher seed and advance deeper than expected.
Selection Sunday remains a few anxious hours away, but the sentiment around the South Carolina program is one of earned hope. There’s no delusion about what the resume lacks, but there’s also no doubt about what the Gamecocks have overcome, what they’ve proven, and how dangerous they could be if their name is called. For now, all they can do is wait — and hope that the body of work speaks louder than the shortcomings.
