Gamecocks Drop Final Game of Opening Weekend

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team dropped its final game of the Gamecock Invitational Sunday afternoon (Feb. 13), as they fell to North Carolina 8-3. The Gamecocks are now 3-1 on the season.
 
After UNC scored in the top of the first, the Gamecocks tied it in the bottom half of the inning. After Jordan Fabian singled with one out, she would later score from third on a wild pitch.
 
The Tar Heels retook the lead in the third, scoring two runs. South Carolina would again answer, this time in the bottom of the fourth. Riley Blampied walked to lead off the inning and Carlie Henderson followed with a single to center. Maddie Gallagher scored Blampied on a ground out to the second baseman. Jordan Fabian followed with a double to right field, scoring Giulia Desiderio from third.
 
Gamecock starting pitcher Karsen Ochs was on a roll in the fourth and fifth innings, retiring UNC on four pitches in the fourth and six pitches in the fifth. 
 
North Carolina got a solo home run in the sixth before adding four more runs in the seventh.
 
Fabian and Hannah Kumiyama led the Gamecocks at the dish, each colleting a pair of hits. 
 
Ochs took the loss after tossing 5 1-3 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits while striking out three. Leah Powell came on in relief, throwing the final 1 2-3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits. 
 
The Gamecocks host Charlotte Wednesday, February 16 at 5 p.m.