By Thomas Grant Jr.
After one season in Athens, Ga., Precious Bross is back home.
Next season, the former Irmo High School All-State infielder will play in familiar surroundings. On Monday, Bross announced on social media that she was now a member of the University of South Carolina.
In choosing the Gamecocks over Duke, she will have three years of eligibility. She joins a team that, like the University of Georgia, was one win away from reaching the Women’s College World Series.
“Back to my roots,” she tweeted. “Extremely grateful for this incredible opportunity to play in my hometown! Thank you (head coach) Ashley Chastain-Woodard, (assistant coach) Jody Davidson, (associate head coach) Katie Rietkovich Browder and (assistant) Zack Parsons for bringing me back home! Spurs up!”
Bross announced her decision to transfer from Georgia on June 10. In her one season with the Lady Bulldogs, she scored nine runs and swiped one base while mostly being used as a pinch runner.
Coming out of Irmo, Irmo was a 3-time All-Region and All-State selection. She also won MVP at the North-South Game and led an All-Star team that won the 2023 Jenna Finch Classic in dominant fashion.
Former Irmo softball coach Jason Huffman is hopeful the Gamecocks will get more out of Bross.
“Precious is a generational player and I’m so happy for her and her family that she can play for her hometown Gamecocks,” he said. “I know that Precious really enjoyed her time playing for the University of Georgia, but sometimes it’s just not the right ‘fit’.
“I know that she is very excited to get this opportunity to join the South Carolina Gamecocks program. She is a very talented player and can play multiple positions. I am sure that Precious will be a significant contributor to the Gamecock program.”
In high school, Bross was selected first team all-state and all-region three times, the third coming after her senior season. She was selected to the North-South All-Star Games in 2024 where she was named the MVP of the tournament. A decorated high school athlete, she earned back-to-back 4A All-State first team, all-region, all-county, and all-area team honors in 2022 and 2023 while earning multiple state player of the week awards.
(Photos by Precious Bross)
