Gamecocks Dominate Saturday Doubleheader

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team (4-0) secured a doubleheader sweep on Saturday (Feb. 8), defeating Providence (0-3) 8-0 via the run rule and Saint Francis (0-3) 7-0.

Quincee Lilio and Karley Shelton were key to the Gamecocks’ offensive success, each recording three hits. Shelton and Ella Chancey both led the team with three runs scored, and four different players contributed with two RBIs each.

GAME ONE

Lilio opened the game for Carolina with a two-strike triple to left center in the bottom of the first. The Gamecocks went on to score five runs in the inning, benefiting from four walks, two hit-by-pitches, and a sacrifice fly.

Chancey began the second inning with a double, followed by a single from Brooke Blankenship. Lexi Winters then loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Abigail Knight followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Chancey home. Blankenship scored on a wild pitch, and Emily Vinson drove in Winters with a single up the middle.

The Gamecocks executed three inning-ending double plays, including a 6-4-3 double play that sealed the game in the fifth.

Kadie Becker earned her first win as a Gamecock, pitching four innings and allowing four hits. Olivia Kotowski made her debut, pitching the final inning in relief.

GAME TWO

Nealy Lamb dominated in the circle against Saint Francis, tossing five innings, striking out seven, and allowing only three hits. She also struck out the side in the second inning.

In the third inning, Shelton hit her first home run of the season, a 255-foot shot to center, giving Carolina a 1-0 lead.

Shelton added another RBI in the fifth with a single, followed by a sacrifice fly from Arianna Rodi that drove in another run. Chancey then hit an RBI double, and Winters brought in two more with a triple to left center.

That was all the Gamecocks needed, as Sam Gress entered in the sixth and retired the Red Flash in order. She pitched the final two innings, striking out two SFU batters.

South Carolina will look to remain undefeated with its final Gamecock Invitational game tomorrow (Feb. 9) at 3 p.m. against East Carolina.