March 2, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
Gamecock softball will compete in their final non-conference tournament of the season when they travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the Tar Heel Invitational, March 3-5. USC will face North Dakota State, Princeton, Canisius, UNC and Memphis. South Carolina is 12-5 and has won their last four games.

USC opens the tournament Friday, March 3 against the NDSU Bison at 12:30 p.m. followed by the Princeton Tigers at 3 p.m. On Saturday, the Gamecocks take on the Canisius Golden Griffins at 12:30 p.m. followed by the Tar Heels at 3 p.m. The Garnet and Black will close out play at the tournament on Sunday at 10 a.m. when they take on Memphis.

The Gamecocks are 1-0 all-time against the Golden Griff’s. The last time the two teams met was at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in 1998 and South Carolina won 6-3. USC is 9-0 against Princeton and 46-10 against UNC. This will be the first meeting for USC against North Dakota State and Memphis.

South Carolina is still looking for its first tournament title of the season after finishing second in the first three.