South Carolina’s Sam Gress drafted by pro softball team
Sam Gress became the fourth player in South Carolina softball program history to be drafted professionally on Tuesday night.
The sixth-year pitcher was selected by the Florida Vibe of the Fastpitch United Pro Series.
Gress was one of two players drafted by the Vibe on Tuesday. The other was Liberty outfielder Rachel Roupe.
“Going into last night, I didn’t really know what was to come from it,” Gress said. “I was just super grateful last night that I just got to share that moment with the people that I loved. Having the girls there with me, the coaches, just all the people who have impacted my journey so much and have really just pushed me and challenged me and made me the player that I am today. It was just really special to share that with them, and I’m really excited for what’s to come.”
The Fastpitch United Pro Series is a league composed of independent professional fast-pitch organizations. The season features a series of competition at different amateur tournament events, as well as a professional team home and away schedule throughout the year around the country.
Gress told The State she’ll report to the team on June 1, unless the Gamecocks advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City which takes places from May 29-June 6.
“It was special to see her just kind of have a sense of joy and fulfillment that she gets to keep playing,” South Carolina head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard said. “It’s always, I think, kind of a little bit of a relief. A lot of happy tears for her. She deserves it I mean, she’s an elite competitor, and she’s got really good stuff, so I was not surprised.
Former Gamecocks Alana Vawter, Donnie Gobourne and Samie Garcia are the three others in program history to be drafted. Vawter was the Blaze of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League earlier this year but played for the Florida Vibe last year. Gobourne was drafted in 2023 by the OKC Spark (formerly of Women’s Professional Fastpitch). Samie Garcia was picked in 2013 by the NY/NJ Comets (formerly National Pro Fastpitch league).
Gress is in the tail end of her final season of collegiate softball with South Carolina. The veteran has compiled a 13-9 record and a 2.93 ERA this season. Gress has made 41 appearances and has pitched 138 2/3 innings.
She was the lone Gamecock to earn All-SEC honors this season. Gress was named to the All-SEC Second Team and the All-Defensive Team. Gress also earned NFCA All-Region honors for the third time in her career this season.
Gress transferred to South Carolina from Charlotte, following her head coach Chastain Woodard who left Charlotte to take over the Gamecocks’ program. Gress spent two years of her career at Charlotte where she was a All-Conference USA and All-American Athletic Conference selection. The Pennsylvania native started her career at NC State where she spent three seasons from 2020-2022.
