Softball Earns First Victory of the Season in Comeback

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The South Carolina softball team earned its first victory of the season as the Gamecocks defeated Miami (OH) 5-4 Friday afternoon (Feb. 10) at the Charlotte Invitational.

Zoe Laneaux and Marissa Gonzalez led the way, each going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Carolina fought back twice in the game after Miami jumped out to an early lead in the second on a solo home run.

The Gamecocks answered in the fourth with two runs. After a one-out walk to Jen Cummings, Laneaux singled and advanced to second. Gonzalez drove in her first RBIs of the season, scoring Laneaux and pinch runner Kyye Ricks with a double to left. The RedHawks took back the lead in the top of the fifth with a solo home run and an RBI single.

South Carolina responded again in the bottom of the fifth. After a leadoff triple by Emma Sellers, she stole home to tie the game. Riley Blampied and Cummings drew back-to-back walks with two outs to put runners on first and second. With a 1-0 count, Laneaux nearly put the ball out of the park, hitting it off the top of the wall for a double, scoring both runners. Miami added a solo home run in the sixth to make the final score.

Donnie Gobourne picked up her first victory as a Gamecock, pitching the final 4 2-3 innings in relief. She struck out nine while allowing three earned runs. Karsen Ochs started in the circle, allowing one run on two hits and striking out three in 2 1-3 innings. The 12 combined strikeouts are the most by Carolina since striking out 11 against Charlotte on March 1, 2020.

South Carolina takes on Campbell for day three of the Charlotte invitational tomorrow (Feb. 11) at 5:30 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.