The South Carolina Gamecocks lose six seniors from their Super Regional squad this upcoming season. Head Coach Beverly Smith is hoping to make up for some of that offense with Gardner Webb transfer Katie Prebble. 

Prebble rewrote the record books for the Runnin’ Bulldogs as a freshman. She hit .438 with 70 hits, 23 home runs, and 71 RBI’s while being named a Top-10 Finalist for the NFCA/Shutt Sports Freshman of the Year.

“What sticks out to me the most about last season is the improvement in my mental approach to the game,” Prebble said.
The slugger chose the Gamecocks over UNC Greensboro and James Madison. The difference was the relationships she formed with the coaching staff and the academic programs that the University of South Carolina had to offer.

“The biggest difference between South Carolina and Gardner Webb is obviously the size of the school," she noted.”
It’s not just a leap for Prebble in terms of the academic institutions, but also the level of play from the Big South Conference to arguably the best softball conference in the NCAA, the SEC.

“I think that being able to make a quick adjustment will be huge for me,” Prebble added. 

If she can make that adjustment that bodes well for Beverly Smith’s squad compiled a 49-17 record last season and ended the year in the top 25. Prebble is competing for the starting spot at first base and is just the third All-American since 1993 to play for South Carolina and the second under Smith.

“I can’t wait to start the season and I am really looking forward to doing it in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Prebble and the Gamecocks’ first contest will be February 7th in the Puerto Vallarta Challenge against BYU.

When asked to describe Katie, her roommates all said she was a super quiet, down to earth, nice person. Alex Lindsey, a redshirt sophomore outfielder for the Gamecocks had this funny story to share about her.

“Over the past four months we have been evacuated out of our apartment due to six false fire alarms all occurring between the hours of 1 to 4 in the morning,” she said. “So for Katie’s birthday, we played a trick on her and played a “fake alarm” on our speaker in the room and acted like we were being evacuated at midnight. Katie fell for the alarm and came out of her room to find us standing there with a cake and her favorite juice drinks singing happy birthday. She was not too happy about us waking her up but it was totally worth it.”

Rapid Fire

What are three things people may not know about you?

I love the beach, I'm a neat freak and I can play the piano. 

Which shows are you currently binge watching on Netflix?

I’m currently watching Criminal Minds.

What are your favorite pump up songs?

Look Up Child by Lauren Daigle and The Wild One by Suzi Quatro.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?

"The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.”

What athletes do you look up to?

Cal Ripken Jr. 

Do you have a favorite memory during your high school or travel ball seasons?

Playing at Oklahoma City and seeing my high school coach's pictures in the Hall of Fame.

What do you love most about softball?

A 3-2 count.