South Carolina softball continues to build momentum under head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard with another important addition from the transfer portal. On Saturday evening, utility player Lexie Shaver announced her commitment to join the Gamecocks, giving USC a dynamic and experienced athlete as it gears up for the 2026 season.
Shaver arrives in Columbia by way of Kennesaw State, where she spent the 2025 season as a key contributor for the Owls. Prior to that, she spent a standout year at the junior college level, putting up impressive numbers and gaining valuable experience. Originally from Utah, Shaver was a two-time All-State selection and a state champion at Riverton High School — a program known for producing competitive, high-level talent.
At Kennesaw State, Shaver showcased her versatility and athleticism, seeing significant time at first base while also demonstrating her ability to play multiple positions. That type of flexibility makes her a perfect fit for Coach Woodard’s roster, which is looking to fill a few key holes left by graduating seniors and outgoing transfers. South Carolina’s 2025 squad lost several of its most reliable base runners, including pinch-running specialist Chloe Lackey. Shaver’s speed and base-running instincts could make her an immediate factor in that department.
“She’s fast, aggressive, and fearless on the bases,” one coach familiar with Shaver’s game said. “She’s the kind of player who creates pressure on a defense just by getting on base.”
But Shaver isn’t just a speedster — she brings some power to the plate as well. During her freshman year in junior college, she smashed an impressive 15 home runs, showing she can drive the ball and produce runs. Her power numbers dipped a bit in 2025 at Kennesaw State, where she hit four home runs, but her swing remains dangerous, especially when paired with her speed and base-stealing ability.
One intriguing connection for the Gamecocks is that Shaver played at KSU alongside fellow South Carolina portal pickup Emma Friedel, a right-handed pitcher also joining the roster for 2026. The two were teammates in 2025, and their familiarity could provide a bit of chemistry that translates well in the locker room and on the field.
Coach Woodard has made it clear that building a versatile and aggressive team is a top priority, and Shaver seems to check all the boxes. She can play multiple positions, brings an explosive speed element to the lineup, and has the experience of playing at different competitive levels — high school, junior college, and Division I.
With the addition of Shaver and others through the portal, South Carolina looks poised to retool and stay competitive in the always-tough SEC. The 2026 roster is taking shape, and with athletes like Shaver in the mix, the Gamecocks are clearly focused on adding not just talent, but the kind of dynamic, multi-dimensional players who can make an immediate impact.