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UNION — In the wake of the USC Union Bantams club baseball team’s success, the university will introduce a women’s club softball team, which will open two part-time positions at the university.

After much success with recruiting as well as off-season practice and scrimmages, the USC Union Bantams club baseball team will open the season with a double header against Furman at noon on Saturday at Timken Sports Complex.

USC Union Admissions Director Brad Greer said since the baseball team was so successful in recruiting more male students to the campus, it’s now time for the female students to have a turn. The university is now recruiting for its new Lady Bantams club softball team.

“Although club sports aren’t bound by the rules of Title IX requiring balance between men’s and women’s athletics, we wanted to do something to give our female students — current and new — an opportunity to compete,” said USC Union Interim Dean Dr. Stephen Lowe.

“We chose softball because it’s a good complement to baseball, both from an athletic standpoint and also because the sanctioning bodies for both club sports are related.”

The team is scheduled to begin practice this summer and will be a member of the National Club Softball Association (NCSA). In order to be eligible to play, students must hold full-time student status, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and must not be on academic probation.

Anyone who is interested in playing on the Lady Bantams club softball team should contact Paul Wilkes at (864) 429-8728.

USC Union is currently accepting applications for a part-time Women’s Softball Coach/Athletic Coordinator. Coaching responsibilities will include evaluating and recruiting qualified student athletes, scheduling, conducting practices utilizing proper techniques, scheduling games and tournaments, and developing successful game strategies. Responsibilities as coordinator will include — but are not limited to — general administration of all aspects of USC Union athletics (currently NCBA Club Baseball and beginning Fall 2013 NCSA Club Softball) — overseeing team budgets, developing additional club sports programs, fund raising, team travel arrangements and conduct and discipline of student athletes.

Anyone interested in either of the positions may find out more information by visiting uscjobs.sc.edu.

Staff Writer Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 29, or by email at dvanderford@civitasmedia.com.