Byars Hits First Home Run, No. 12 Gamecocks Fall to No. 19 Hokies

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 12th ranked South Carolina softball team (1-2) dropped a top-25 matchup Saturday night (Feb. 7) to No. 19 Virginia Tech (5-0) 8-5 on day three of the Gamecock Invitational.

Tori Ensley and Tate Davis collected two hits on the night to lead the offense. Freshman Kai Byars connected on her first collegiate home run to lead the way with three RBIs on the night.

South Carolina jumped out to the early lead on an RBI double from Davis after Quincee Lilio led off the inning with a single.

In the second, Lexi Winters led off with a double and Shae Anderson walked. On the seventh pitch of her at-bat, Byars connected on her first home run of the year to left center.

The Hokies plated five runs in the top of the third, including a pair of home runs. They would add two more in the fifth and another in the seventh.

Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth but were unable to push across a run. It would add a run in the sixth when Ensley doubled to left center to bring Davis all the way around from first.

Josey Marron (1-1) took the loss, allowing an earned run in 1 1-3 innings of relief. Julie Kelley made her first appearance of the season in the circle and retired the only batter she faced.

The Gamecocks wrap up the Gamecock Invitational Sunday with a doubleheader against Binghamton and Winthrop starting at 12:30 p.m.

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.