Softball Retires Joyce Compton's Jersey, Fall to Rebels

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Prior to its game against Ole Miss  on Saturday (Apr. 23), the South Carolina softball team retired the jersey of long time head coach Joyce Compton. Compton coached the Gamecocks from 1987 to 2010, becoming the second to have their softball jersey retired. The Gamecocks however were unable to pick up the victory in the game, as they fell to the Rebels 2-1.
 
Compton retired after 24 years leading the Gamecock Softball program. She is the all-time winningest coach at South Carolina with 951 victories at the school and 1,066 victories overall, which ranked ninth in NCAA Division I history at the time of her retirement. Compton’s teams won four Eastern Division titles, two SEC Tournament trophies and the 1997 SEC Championship.
 
Once the game started, Carolina jumped out to the early lead, scoring its run in the second. With one out, Maddie Gallagher drew a walk. Then with two outs, Carlie Henderson also drew a walk. Behind 0-1 in the count, Kassidy Krupit single to center, scoring Gallagher from second. The Gamecocks loaded the bases as Leah Powell was hit by a pitch, but they were unable to push across another run.
 
Riley Blampied singled in the third for South Carolina’s other hit on the afternoon.
 
The Rebels scored a run in the fourth and another in the sixth, both coming with two outs.
 
Powell took the loss as she scattered six hits in the complete game.
 
The final game of the series will be tomorrow, April 24, with first pitch at 1 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.