Softball Scores 26 Runs in Pair of Victories
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team swept its way through day two of the Gamecock Invitational, as Carolina defeated Lipscomb 12-6 and George Washington in a run-rule 14-5. The Gamecocks improve to 3-0 on the season.
GAME 1
In the opener against Lipscomb, the Gamecocks scored in the bottom of the first on a single down the right field line by Hannah Kumiyama. Lipscomb bounced back and scored five runs in the top of the second.
It was a short momentum swing for the Bisons as the Gamecocks clawed their way back, scoring seven runs in the bottom half of the second. Emma Sellers started the scoring with a single that brought home Carlie Henderson. Maddie Gallagher followed with another single to score Riley Blampied. After a pitching change by Lipscomb, Kassidy Krupit brought in another run on a groundout to third. Kumiyama drove in two more runs on another single to right field. Blampied capped off the inning with a two-run single through the left side of the infield.
The Bisons would add another run in the fourth before the Gamecocks added on three more. Katie Prebble drove in a run on an RBI double to left and Blampied followed with a two-run single up the middle.
Prebble would cap off game one when she took a 3-2 pitch and smashed it off the netting in left field for her first home run of the season. Prebble finished game one 3-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs. Blampied also drove in four runs and Kumiyama finished with three RBIs.
Kelsey Oh started for the Gamecocks, allowing five runs on one hit in 1 2-3 innings. Bailey Betenbaugh picked up her first win in relief, throwing 2 1-3 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out six. Karsen Ochs earned her second career save, throwing the final three inning, surrendering no runs on just one hit.
GAME 2
The Gamecocks came from behind to win for the third time in two days after George Washington took the lead early, scoring two runs in the top of the first.
For the second time on the day, the Gamecocks batter around in the bottom of the second inning, scoring six runs in the frame. Gallagher started the scoring with a two-run triple. Jordan Fabian followed with an RBI single and Krupit doubled down the right field line to drive home Fabian. Prebble then stepped up and drove a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run, her second of the day.
After the Colonials added two runs in the top of the second, Carolina scored four more in the bottom half of the inning. Gallagher doubled to the left-center gap, bringing home a pair of Gamecocks. Krupit earned a sacrifice fly to score Gallagher and Henderson capped off the day with an RBI single to left field.
Six different South Carolina players finished with multiple hits in the game, with Krupit and Sellers led the way with three hits apiece. Gallagher led all players with four RBIs, while Krupit drove in three. Fabian, Gallagher, and Sellers all scored three runs, respectively.
Ochs started for Carolina, throwing 2 1-3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits. Leah Powell came on in relief to earn her second win of the season, hurling 2 2-3 innings, and giving up one run on one hit.
South Carolina wraps up the Gamecock Invitational tomorrow, February 13, when they meet North Carolina at 3:30 p.m.
For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecockSoftball.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.
