Softball . March 10, 2022

Softball Opens SEC Play With Home Series Against Georgia

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team opens SEC play when it takes on the 15th ranked Georgia Bulldogs March 11-13. Friday’s game originally scheduled for 6 p.m. has been moved up to a 2 p.m. first pitch due to potential rain. Sunday’s matchup will mark the first nationally televised game of the season for the Gamecocks on the SEC Network.

Saturday will be the team’s Title IX celebration game and women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Sunday will be $1 hot dogs at the concession stand.

Gameday Information
When: March 11 | 2 p.m.; March 12 | 2 p.m.; March 13 | 2 p.m.
Where: Columbia, S.C.
Venue: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field (1,480)
Tickets: gamecocksonline.com
Live Stats: Statbroadcast GM1 | Statbroadcast GM2 | Statbroadcast GM3
Live Video: SECN+ (Fri) | SECN+ (Sat) | SEC Network (Sun)
Series History: Georgia leads 41-31
Last Meeting: Georgia 11, South Carolina 3 | March 8, 2020 | Athens, Ga.

South Carolina Gamecocks
15-6, 0-0 SEC
Coach: Beverly Smith | 12th Season
AVG Leader: .403 | Riley Blampied
RBI Leader: 23 | Hannah Kumiyama
Home Run Leader: 8 | Katie Prebble
ERA Leader: 0.78 | Bailey Betenbaugh
Strikeout Leader: 27 | Kelsey Oh
Wins Leader: 5 | Kelsey Oh

Carolina’s last series win came during the 2017 season, played in Athens, 2-1.
Under head coach Beverly Smith, the Gamecocks are 8-14 against the Bulldogs.
In Columbia, the Gamecocks lead the all-time series 20-16.
The eight home runs by Katie Prebble through 21 games are the most by a Gamecocks since Alaynie Page also had eight in 2015.
They are the only two players under Smith with eight home runs in the first 21 games of the season.
Since 2000, only three Gamecocks have hit eight home runs in 21 games, in 2004 Samantha Jennings also had eight home runs.
Freshman Emma Sellers’ 23 hits through 21 games are the most by a freshman since Kennedy Clark had 26 hits in 2016.
The 31 stolen bases by Carolina are the most to start a season since stealing 32 in 2017. It’s the fifth time under Smith they’ve stolen at least 31 (2011-13, 17)
The 138 RBIs are the most through 21 games since 2019, and are third most under Smith through 21 games (2013, 161; 2019, 147).
The Gamecocks opened the season at home for the third straight year. Last season the team opened the season with Carolina Classic, but was canceled due to weather.
South Carolina has opened the season at home in 7 of 12 seasons under Bev Smith.
The 2022 roster features 22 total players. A total of seven different states are represented.

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.