Gamecock Recognize Eight Seniors, Drop Season Finale in 10 Innings

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team (33-21, 8-16) dropped its regular season finale Sunday afternoon (May 5) 5-2 to No. 13 Missouri (40-14, 13-11).

Prior to the game, Carolina honored its eight seniors, Aniyah Black, Denver Bryant, Bailey Betenbaugh, Zoe Laneaux, Alana Vawter, Riley Blampied, and Kianna Jones.

The Gamecocks out-hit the Tigers for the second time in the series. Aniyah Black led the way with two hits on the day.

Sage Mardjetko (8-7) took the loss, allowing three runs on two hits in an inning of work. Vawter threw 4 2-3, striking out four and scattering three hits. Betenbaugh came on for 2-3 an inning before leaving to a standing ovation from the South Carolina fans for the fifth-year graduate student. Jori Heard started and threw 3 2-3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit and striking out five.

South Carolina jumped out the lead in the fourth. A pair of one-out singles from Cummings and Jones was followed by an error to load the bases. Bre Warren delivered a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring pinch runner Kyye Ricks.

Missouri took the lead with a two-run home run in the fifth. The Gamecocks tied it in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff single by Bryant and an error put runners on the corners. Bryant attempted to steal home, but the Missouri catcher was called for obstruction, scoring Bryant to tie the game.

The game would remain tied into extra innings. It was the ninth extra inning game of the season for Carolina, which is tied for the most in the nation.

With two outs in the top of the 10th, the Tigers got a three-run home run to break the tie. Carolina brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the inning after a single by Laneaux and a walk to Cummings, but the next three batters were retired to end the game.

The Gamecocks now turn their attention to the SEC Tournament, where they will take on Mississippi State 35 minutes after the conclusion of the Auburn vs Georgia (approx. 7 p.m. CT). The first two rounds of the tournament will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.