Softball . February 9, 2023

Gamecocks Drop Season Opener

Game #1

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The South Carolina softball team dropped its season opener 9-1 Thursday night (Feb. 9) to Charlotte in the first game of the Charlotte Invitational.

The Gamecocks jumped out to the early lead in the top of the first. On the first pitch she saw, junior Riley Blampied connected on the first Carolina home run of 2023, a solo shot to left field.

🎥 The first home run of the season for the Gamecocks goes to @Rileybrooklyn22!#Gamecocks

📱💻 https://t.co/2guCBaInn8 pic.twitter.com/Qhwexgcgt4

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) February 9, 2023

The 49ers answered with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead.

Charlotte added four runs in the second, another in the third, and two more in the fourth.

Zoe Laneaux, Giulia Desiderio, and Brooke Blankenship also collected hits on the night for the Gamecocks.

Bailey Betenbaugh took the loss in the circle, allowing two earned runs in 1-3 of an inning. Rachel Vaughn came on to throw 1 2-3 innings of relief, allowing four earned runs. Karsen Ochs pitched the final two innings, surrendering three earned runs.

South Carolina returns to action tomorrow (Feb. 10) for day two of the Charlotte Invitational, when the squad takes on Miami (OH) at 12:30 p.m.

For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.