McKnight Hits Grand Slam as No. 19 Gamecocks Run Rule Marist
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nia McKnight hit a grand slam and KG Favors threw a complete game, as the 19th ranked South Carolina softball team (12-5) defeated Marist (5-10) 11-1 Friday night (Feb. 27) in a five-inning run-rule victory on the opening day of the Garnet & Black Invitational.
McKnight finished 2-for-2 with a triple and the grand slam for a career-high five RBIs on the night. She is the first Gamecock with a triple and a home run in the same game since Victoria Williams against Presbyterian on Feb. 10, 2017. Tate Davis also finished with a pair of hits. Tori Ensley drove in a pair of runs and scored twice.
Favors (2-0) threw her first complete game, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four batters.
South Carolina got on the board in the bottom of the first. After Karley Shelton singled with one out, Tori Ensley connected on her fourth home run of the season.
In the second, McKnight brought in a run on a triple down the right field line. Quincee Lilio brought her home on a sacrifice fly to left.
Carolina broke the game open in the third, scoring seven runs. Ensley got the scoring going with an RBI single and Lexi Winters followed with an RBI double. Alyssa Hovermale added an RBI single of her own. With the bases loaded and on the first pitch, McKnight connected on her second home run of the season and her first career grand slam over the wall in left field.
Marist would score its only run on a leadoff home run in the fourth.
The South Carolina defense turned a pair of double plays, including one to end the game.
The Gamecocks continue the Garnet & Black Invitational Saturday with a doubleheader against UAB and a rematch with Marist 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.
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