For a program looking to climb the SEC softball ranks, South Carolina just made two major statements in the transfer portal that could shift the balance of power in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences. With the additions of Ava Brown and Maddie Westmoreland, the Gamecocks aren’t just improving — they’re becoming a real threat. These aren’t just good players. They’re game-changers.
Ava Brown, formerly a standout at Florida, brings a level of offensive explosiveness South Carolina has lacked in recent years. Her bat is both feared and respected across the SEC landscape. As a freshman, she displayed poise beyond her years, belting key home runs against elite pitching and maintaining a consistent presence in the heart of the Gators’ lineup. Her swing is both powerful and compact, and her plate discipline continues to evolve with every game she plays. She doesn’t just swing for the fences—she does it with purpose and patience, two traits that make her an elite-level hitter at the collegiate level.
For a South Carolina team that has struggled with offensive consistency, especially in the back half of the season, Brown provides something few teams possess: a true cornerstone bat that can change a game with one swing. She not only brings power but a knack for the dramatic—Brown has already developed a reputation as someone who thrives in pressure-packed situations, whether it’s the seventh inning of a tight game or a must-win series.
But this transfer class isn’t just about adding power. It’s about balance, and that’s where Maddie Westmoreland comes in. The former Oklahoma State ace has the kind of arm that alters scouting reports and frustrates opposing lineups. Her rise through the ranks has been defined by her fierce competitiveness and precision command. With a deep arsenal of pitches, including a devastating riseball and a deceptive off-speed changeup, Westmoreland is the kind of pitcher who can carry a team through a regional—and maybe even Omaha.
She’s not flashy. She’s clinical. And that’s what makes her so dangerous.
At Oklahoma State, Westmoreland compiled an impressive record and was often used as the go-to starter in the most important matchups. She’s proven herself against some of the nation’s best hitters and has the kind of experience that can’t be taught. The SEC, known for its depth of offensive firepower, demands resilience and mental toughness from its pitchers. Westmoreland has both. Her arrival in Columbia immediately gives South Carolina one of the most seasoned and dependable arms in the conference.
The synergy between Brown and Westmoreland is what makes this so fascinating. It’s rare to land one elite transfer. It’s borderline unheard of to land two who address exactly what you need on both sides of the ball. One hits bombs. One silences bats. Together, they form the foundation of a Gamecocks team that now looks more like a dark horse contender than a middle-of-the-pack program.
And make no mistake, South Carolina needed this kind of infusion. The SEC doesn’t wait for programs to catch up. If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. The Gamecocks have always had potential, but now they have firepower and leadership. Brown and Westmoreland don’t just raise the ceiling for the team — they raise the standard for everyone around them. Younger players will benefit from their presence, both on the field and in the locker room. Culture matters, and these two come from winning programs where culture is everything.
There’s also something to be said about the timing. In this new era of college athletics—where the transfer portal, NIL, and roster management all factor heavily into a program’s trajectory—South Carolina is playing the game the right way. They identified their needs, targeted high-impact talent, and closed the deals. That’s not just good recruiting; that’s good strategy.
The SEC is brutal. There’s no other way to put it. From the likes of Alabama, Florida, and LSU to the recent dominance of teams like Tennessee and Arkansas, the conference is a gauntlet every weekend. It’s a place where top-10 teams routinely lose series, where star players are tested every single inning, and where national championships are won and lost. To compete, you need stars. South Carolina just added two.
Even more exciting for Gamecocks fans is the potential ripple effect. Adding players like Brown and Westmoreland doesn’t just improve the on-field product—it sends a message to other top-tier recruits and transfers that Columbia is a destination, not a stepping stone. It’s a signal that head coach Bev Smith and her staff are serious about building a program that contends at the highest level.
Momentum in college softball is powerful. One strong season can lead to years of sustained success, especially when anchored by transcendent players. Brown and Westmoreland fit that mold. If South Carolina can capitalize on their arrival with a postseason run, the recruiting dividends could be massive.
For Brown, the transition to South Carolina offers a fresh start with the opportunity to be the centerpiece of an emerging offense. At Florida, she was part of a loaded roster with multiple stars. In Columbia, she has the chance to define a team’s offensive identity. She’ll draw the top matchups from opposing pitchers, but she’ll also open up opportunities for teammates. Her presence alone shifts how pitchers approach the lineup.
Westmoreland, meanwhile, enters a program hungry for an ace. In the SEC, you don’t just need depth in the circle—you need dominance. Westmoreland provides that. She’s a tone-setter, someone who doesn’t just throw strikes but controls the game’s tempo. Her ability to go deep into games, adjust to hitters multiple times through the order, and execute with runners on base makes her the kind of pitcher teams hate to face.
Together, Brown and Westmoreland also give South Carolina something else: swagger. A confidence that’s been missing in Columbia during recent postseason droughts. There’s a quiet intensity to both of them, the kind that rubs off on teammates and intimidates opponents. Winning programs are built on that kind of edge.
It’s also worth noting how rare it is to find this kind of balance in one offseason. Often, teams get one big bat but lack pitching. Or they find an ace but struggle to score. South Carolina managed to add both. That’s not just good fortune. It’s evidence of a coaching staff with a vision—and the ability to execute it.
Now the question becomes: how high can this team climb?
The SEC preseason rankings next year will undoubtedly include the usual suspects at the top. But South Carolina’s name is going to be mentioned more than it has in recent memory. And not as an afterthought. With Brown anchoring the lineup and Westmoreland controlling the circle, the Gamecocks suddenly look like a team no one wants to face in May.
Even the national media is starting to take notice. There’s a buzz around this program again, and it’s not just local optimism—it’s legitimate intrigue. Analysts are pointing to the portal moves as indicators of a program on the rise. Fans are energized. The locker room has a new energy. Everything feels different—and that’s because it is.
This is the modern game. You build through development and reinforce through the portal. South Carolina has done both. And with two proven SEC stars now in the mix, they’ve given themselves a chance to make a real run, not just this year, but in the seasons to come.
Brown and Westmoreland didn’t come to Columbia just to play—they came to win. And now, for the first time in a long time, the rest of the SEC has to take South Carolina seriously. That’s what happens when you add a slugger with power and poise, and a pitcher with command and confidence.
The pieces are in place. The stakes are high. And the Gamecocks, with two of the most impactful transfers in the country, are ready to rise.
