Winthrop University Athletics

Paige Nichols (Class of 1985) was a two-time NAIA First Team All-American in 1984 and 1985, and was named to the 1985 NAIA District 6 All-Tour­nament Team. She played a key role on the 1985 team that reached a NAIA No. 1 national ranking and advanced four games into the NAIA World Series. She still ranks in Winthrop’s Top 10 in two batting categories and five pitching categories. She also ranks first in fewest earned runs allowed in a career as well as fewest hits allowed. At the time she finished her career, she ranked first all-time in wins with 42 and currently ranks eighth. She still ranks third in career ERA (1.172). Nichols also finished her career ranked first for lowest ERA in a single-season, wins, strikeouts and games started, and collected 116 hits and 60 RBIs, which ranked first all-time at the time her career ended. Her .410 batting average in 1984 is tied for the fourth best average in a single season, and she is one of only six players in school history to hit .400 or better in a single season. She continued to play ASA slow pitch softball and won two World Championships in 1997 while being named to the USSSA All-World team.