Softball Sweeps Final Day of Garnet and Black Round Robin
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team ended its weekend on a high note, as the Gamecocks swept day two of the Garnet and Black Round Robin Saturday, April 9. Carolina defeated East Tennessee State 6-2 and NC State 3-1, to improve to 23-17 on the year.
Maddie Gallagher led the Gamecocks on the day, going 4-for-7 with two RBIs. Katie Prebble finished with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Riley Blampied also added a pair of hits.
Game 1
South Carolina took the lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Jordan Fabian was hit by the first pitch of the inning. Following a walk to Hannah Kumiyama, Prebble knocked a double to right-center, scoring Fabian. Kumiyama would score when Blampied singled through the left side. After a walk to Aaliyah White loaded the bases, Kassidy Krupit was hit by a pitch to bring home Prebble.
The Buccaneers scored a run in the top of the second, but Carolina answered in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Prebble was hit by a pitch and Blampied walked. With a 1-1 count, Gallagher hit a triple over the left fielder’s head and off the wall, scoring both runners.
In the third and up in the count 3-1, Emma Sellers connected on her first collegiate home run, a solo shot to left.
Leah Powell earned her fifth win of the season, throwing a complete game. She allowed two runs, one earned, on nine hits while striking out four.
Game 2
The Gamecocks started game two in a similar fashion, taking the lead in the bottom of the first and never giving it up. With one out, Blampied singled to center. After moving to second on a passed ball, Prebble would again double to right-center, scoring Blampied from second.
In the fourth, Gallagher singled down the right field line with one away. A wild pitch moved her to second, before scoring on a double to right field by Carlie Henderson.
The lone Wolfpack run came in the fifth with two outs. Fabian had an answer for South Carolina as she delivered her ninth home run of the season, and solo homer down the left field line.
In the seventh, NC State loaded the bases with one out, but Bailey Betenbaugh came on in relief and induced a game-ending double play.
Skylar Trahan made her first collegiate start, earning her second victory of the season. In 6 1-3 innings, she allowed one run on five hits, and struck out three. Betenbaugh earned her first save of the season and the second of her career.
South Carolina returns to the field when they host rival Clemson Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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.
