The Shadow
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The James Madison softball program announced its second addition from the transfer portal Monday, July 6, as the Dukes signed South Carolina transfer outfielder Nia McKnight.
McKnight spent her first two years with the Gamecocks, playing in 93 games and starting 26. The Loganville, Ga., native has a .290 career batting average with 38 hits.
Nia McKnight | 5-3 | Junior | Outfielder | South Carolina | Loganville, Ga. | Grayson High
South Carolina (2026):
- Played in 53 games, starting 25 in her sophomore season
- Had three triples to tie for the team lead
- Recorded five multi-hit games, finishing with a .279 batting average
- Finished with a .941 OPS, collecting five doubles, three triples, and two homers
- Season-high three hits against Winthrop (2/8)
- Stole a season-high two bases against Boston University (2/13)
- Drove in a season-high five runs versus Marist (2/27)
- Went 3-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBI, and three runs scored against Winthrop (2/8)
- Finished 2-for-2 with a home run, triple, five RBI, and two runs scored against Marist (2/27), becoming the first Gamecock with a homer and triple in the same game since 2017
South Carolina (2025):
- Played in 40 games as a freshman, primarily as a pinch runner
- Scored 15 runs and was a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen bases
- Earned a hit in her only at-bat of the season versus Furman (4/29)
High School
- Four-year varsity starter for Grayson High in Loganville, Ga.
- Three-time First Team All-Region and All-County selection
- Finished her high school career with a .434 batting average
- Set school record for career RBI (187) and home runs (15)
- Hit .514 as a senior with 25 stolen bases.
- Ranked as the No. 17 player by Extra Inning Softball
Personal
McKnight is the daughter of Chad and Anita McKnight. She has two sisters, Aubrey and Mya. Her father, Chad, played football at Georgia Tech.
