University of South Alabama Athletics

AT SOUTH ALABAMA
JUNIOR SEASON (2021)    
• Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List selection
• NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honoree
• Appeared in all 52 games, starting 36 in left field    
• Was third on the team with a .294 batting average    
• Led the team and ranked 10th in the Sun Belt in stolen bases as she was a perfect 13-for-13    
• Ranked second on the team with 22 runs scored, and added a pair of doubles and three RBI
• Had nine multi-hit games, which were third most on the roster    
• Did not commit an error in her 71 defensive opportunities    
• Posted a .446 batting average in lead-off situations    
• Ended the season on a five-game reached base safely streak    
• Batted .313 in Sun Belt Conference action    
• Became a regular starter in the outfield after a pinch-hit in game one of a doubleheader versus Kent State (3/6) at the Easton T-Town Showdown    
• In her start in the next game versus the Flash, went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, a double, a stolen base and a RBI
• Set the tone and led off the game with an infield single in South’s 1-0 victory at No. 2 Alabama (3/7)    
• Had six hits and scored four runs in the SBC series versus Appalachian State (3/13-3/14)    
• Began the three-game series versus Texas State with a 3-for-4 showing with a run scored against the Bobcats (4/9)    
• Finished the series against Texas State with two multi-hit efforts and six hits    
• Went 2-for-3 versus South Florida (5/22) at the Gainesville Regional

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2020) – COVID 19 SEASON    
• Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll selection
• Played in 19 games and made seven starts at second base    
• Batted .105 as she had a pair of hits, scored four runs and walked three times    
• Her two hits came against Missouri (2/7) and Illinois (2/8) at the NFCA Division I Classic in Clearwater, Fla.    
• Scored a run against the Tigers, while her three other runs scored came as a pinch runner in three of the last four games of the shortened season    

FRESHMAN SEASON (2019)    
• Played in 38 games, mainly as a pinch runner
• Scored 14 runs off the bench
• Made collegiate debut in the Jags’ season opener against Missouri State at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala.
• Scored first run of her career as a pinch runner against Lipscomb on Feb. 15    
• Made first collegiate start against Southern Mississippi on April 3 where she recorded two assists and had her lone at-bat    
• Scored a run as a pinch runner three straight appearances twice during the season (4/7 - 4/12 and 4/20 - 4/26)    
• Also scored a run as a pinch runner in five of her final six appearances to close out the season    

AT HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL    
• Lettered five years in softball at Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala.    
• Helped lead Hoover to back-to-back state titles in 2018 and 2017    
• The Bucs finished with a 33-0 record in ‘18 and ranked 12th nationally in the USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll    
• Earned both Alabama Sports Writers Association 7A second-team all-state honors, as well as honorable mention AL.com Birmingham All-Region accolades following her senior season    
• Batted .462 as a senior with the Buccaneers    
• Entered her senior season ranked among the top 5 in program history in batting average (.363) and stolen bases (66)    
• Was 51-for-139 at the plate for a .367 batting average during her junior campaign, recording four doubles, drove in 13 and scored 54 runs, while also swiping 25 bases    
• Also drew 17 walks, and had a .443 on-base percentage and a .839 on-base plus slugging percentage during the 2017 season    
• Named to the 2017 All-Over the Mountain Softball team    
• Hit for a .361 average with a .404 on-base percentage and helped the Bucs advance to the Class 7A North Central Regional as a sophomore    
• Finished the year with 56 hits, 10 walks and scored 45 runs, and led Hoover with 30 stolen bases, a .436 average with runners in scoring position, while pacing the team with 10 sacrifice bunts
• Played two years of travel ball with New Jersey Intensity and one year with Southern Spirit

PERSONAL    
• Full name is Caroline Knight Nichols    
• Born in Birmingham, Ala.    
• Daughter of David and Suzie Nichols    
• Older sister, MC, was a member of the Jaguar softball team (2017-20)    
• Nickname is “Pepper” because she once wore an old "Dr. Pepper T-shirt to practice when she was growing up
• Father played baseball for two seasons at Marion Military Institute    
• Majoring in marketing