Gamecocks Ranked in Both Major Polls Prior to SEC Tournament

May 9, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
For the first time in a decade, South Carolina earned a ranking in both major polls, coming in 24th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/USA Today poll and 23rd in the ESPN.com/USA Softball rankings.

The Gamecocks are 32-22 on the year and have won series against ranked SEC foes in consecutive weekends, beating No. 22/25 Georgia on the road before topping No. 18/19 LSU in the regular-season’s last weekend at home. It’s the third time in four seasons that South Carolina has won series over nationally-ranked teams.

South Carolina last earned a ranking in the 2007 postseason polls from both outlets. Now 12 of the 13 teams in the SEC have been ranked this season. Ten of the 13 SEC teams are in this week’s NFCA list.

The Gamecocks are set to take on No. 18/18 Kentucky in the SEC Tournament’s opening round at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.