Fabian's Grand Slam Propels Gamecocks to Weekend Sweep of FGCU
ORLANDO, Fla. – An eight-run first inning propelled the South Carolina softball team to a 12-5 victory over Florida Gulf Coast to wrap up the UCF Round Robin. The Gamecocks head back home with an overall record of 13-5
South Carolina tied a season-high with 16 hits. Every Gamecock starter recorded a hit and a run in the game. Carlie Henderson led Carolina going 4-for-4 at the plate. Riley Blampied went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Jordan Fabian and Aaliyah White each had two hits. Fabian led the team with four 4RBIs while White and Fabian each scored twice.
After FGCU scored with two outs in the top of the first, the Gamecock bats exploded for eight runs on eight hits in the bottom of the inning. Fabian led off with a single, stole second, and went to third on an error. She would score on a sacrifice fly by Emma Sellers. Kumiyama followed with a solo home run, her third of the season.
With two outs in the first, Carolina rattled off six consecutive hits. Blampied singled and stole second, then scored on a double by Gallagher. White singled up the middle to score Gallagher. Giulia Desiderio and Henderson followed with singles to load the bases. With a 2-2 count, Fabian smashed her fourth home run of the season and her first career grand slam.
The Eagles got three of those runs back in the top of the third. The Gamecocks came right back in the bottom of the fourth and scored three of their own. Prebble doubled to score a run and Blampied singled up the middle to score two more.
Florida Gulf Coast added a run in the sixth and Carolina answered in the bottom of the inning. White singled on a bunt, stole second, went to third on a groundout, and scored on a single by Henderson.
Rachel Vaughan earned her second win of the season, throwing four innings of relief, allowing one run on four hits. Leah Powell started for South Carolina, surrendering four runs, three earned, on five hits in two innings of work. Kelsey Oh came on for the final inning, striking out two of the three batters she faced.
The Gamecocks return home to host a pair of non-conference games against Youngstown State on March 8 at 1 p.m. and Michigan State March 9 at 3 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.
