Gamecocks Unable to Find Timely Hits in Carolina Classic Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team dropped the opening game of the Carolina Classic Friday night (Feb. 25), falling to Miami (OH) 5-0. The Gamecocks are now 8-3 on the season.
 
Both teams finished with five hits on the night, but it was the RedHawks who were able to capitalize. Miami scored twice in the third, before adding another in the fourth, and two more in the sixth. 
 
In the second inning, Riley Blampied tripled down the right field line with two outs. After Emma Sellers walked and stole second, the rally ended on a groundout. 
 
Carolina would again get a runner on third in the third inning, when Jordan Fabian reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, and went to third on a Miami throwing error.
 
Fabian doubled to lead off the sixth and Kassidy Krupit walked, but the Gamecocks ran into a bit of bad luck, as a hard line drive turned into a double play to end the inning.
 
Karsen Ochs took the loss, starting and going two innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out three. Rachel Vaughan came on to pitch three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit. Leah Powell gave up two runs in 1-3 an inning and Kelsey Oh finished off the final 1 2-3, striking out three and not allowing a hit.
 
The Gamecocks will face #7 Virginia Tech tomorrow, February 26, at 1 p.m. followed by Ohio State, 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
 
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.