May 12, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
South Carolina (32-23) received its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2007, making the field of 64 in the Austin Regional, the NCAA released today. The Gamecocks take on Houston in the first round on Friday, with times to be determined.

South Carolina finished 10th in the Southeastern Conference, which drew 11 bids as a league this year. The Gamecocks will face the Houston Cougars from Conference USA in the first round on Friday night. Overall No. 4 seed Texas hosts Patriot League champ Army also on Friday.

It’s the Gamecocks’ 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the first since 2007. South Carolina is 29-27 in NCAA Tournament play and has three NCAA Women’s College World Series appearances in its history.

The Gamecocks have only faced Houston once, winning the 2009 matchup in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. The Gamecocks are also 1-0 against Texas, winning a contest in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Tempe, Ariz. South Carolina and Army have never faced off in softball.

Times will be announced later, as well as any television coverage for the weekend’s contests.