South Carolina Softball Announces Six-Game Fall Slate With Four Home Dates
South Carolina softball has officially mapped out its fall schedule, giving Gamecock fans six opportunities to get an early look at the program before the 2027 regular season arrives.
The Gamecocks announced the schedule Wednesday, Aug. 19, with four of the six contests scheduled for Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. The remaining two games will take South Carolina on the road against in-state opponents.
Four Games Coming to Beckham Field
South Carolina will open its fall slate at home against Presbyterian on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. The Gamecocks will then return to Beckham Field for another evening matchup against Winthrop on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
The home portion continues the following day, when USC Beaufort visits Columbia for a noon contest on Oct. 10.
South Carolina’s final home game of the fall will come Oct. 23, when Spartanburg Methodist arrives for a 6 p.m. matchup.
One particularly fan-friendly aspect of the schedule is that all four home fall games are free and open to the public. Each of those contests will also be played over 10 innings, providing the Gamecocks with an extended opportunity to evaluate players and combinations.
Two Road Tests Round Out the Schedule
The Gamecocks will spend the middle portion of October away from Columbia.
South Carolina travels to face Charleston Southern on Oct. 16 at 5 p.m., followed one day later by a trip to the College of Charleston for a 3 p.m. contest on Oct. 17.
The back-to-back road games should provide another useful test as the coaching staff continues evaluating the roster in a competitive environment.
More Than Just Exhibition Games
While fall softball results don’t carry the same weight as regular-season games, the schedule serves an important developmental purpose.
South Carolina enters the fall with a roster featuring returning players, newcomers and athletes competing for expanded roles. The extended 10-inning format should allow the coaching staff to get additional looks at pitchers, position players and potential lineup combinations.
That is particularly valuable during a period when teams can experiment without the pressure of regular-season standings.
The Gamecocks’ current roster includes a mix of veterans and younger players, with Ashley Chastain Woodard entering her second season as head coach. The staff also includes associate head coach Katie Browder, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jody Davidson, and pitching coach Zack Parsons.
Beckham Field Remains a Major Advantage
The four home dates also give South Carolina an opportunity to continue building on its strong connection with the Columbia fan base.
Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field has historically been one of the program’s strengths. South Carolina entered the 2026 season with a 285-112 record (.718) at the stadium since its construction in 2013, highlighting how difficult the venue has been for visiting teams.
Opening the fall schedule with four home opportunities therefore provides more than simple convenience. It gives the Gamecocks a chance to develop their roster in familiar surroundings while allowing fans to get an early glimpse at the team.
The Complete 2026 Fall Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 4 | Presbyterian | Home | 1 p.m. |
| Oct. 9 | Winthrop | Home | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 10 | USC Beaufort | Home | Noon |
| Oct. 16 | Charleston Southern | Away | 5 p.m. |
| Oct. 17 | College of Charleston | Away | 3 p.m. |
| Oct. 23 | Spartanburg Methodist | Home | 6 p.m. |
The six-game slate gives South Carolina a balanced fall workload: four games in Columbia and two road contests, with the schedule spread across three weeks in October.
What to Watch
The biggest value of the fall schedule won’t necessarily be the final scores. Instead, the games should offer an early indication of which players are emerging, how the pitching staff is shaping up and what lineup combinations South Carolina may consider heading into the regular season.
For Gamecock fans, the added bonus is simple: four chances to watch those developments unfold at Beckham Field without paying admission.
**South Carolina’s fall season officially begins Oct. 4 against Presbyterian.**
About The Author
