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Gamecocks Sweep Day One, Run Win Streak to 11 Straight
Softball  . 

Gamecocks Sweep Day One, Run Win Streak to 11 Straight

Box Score Game 1 Box Score Game 2

MACON, Ga. – The South Carolina softball team accomplished something it had never done before under head coach Beverly Smith during the first day of the Mercer Bear Invitational Friday night (Feb. 24). The Gamecocks hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in their run-rule victory 11-1 over Mercer. Earlier in the day, South Carolina earned another run-rule victory against Jacksonville 10-2 to run its winning streak to 11 straight games.

Carolina hit six home runs on the day, three in each game. Haley Simpson had a career game in the opener, finishing with two home runs and five RBIs. Jen Cummings finished the day 4-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs and four runs scored. Zoe Laneaux also finished with four hits on the day to go along with three runs and three RBIs. Marissa Gonzalez also came around to score three times.

GAME 1

The Gamecocks jumped out early on the Dolphins, scoring four runs in the top of the first. Cummings singled with one away and one out later, scored on a single by Laneaux when the throw by the Jacksonville right fielder went out of play. Laneaux scored when she stolen home while Gonzalez was in a rundown.

Carolina added to its lead in the second with two outs as Jordan Fabian walked and stole second. Cummings stepped in and on a 2-2 count, connected on her first home run as a Gamecock.

In the fifth, South Carolina put the run-rule into effect, scoring four runs. With one out, Cummings walked. Pinch runner Kyye Ricks moved to second on a ground out, and then went to third and scored on a pair of wild pitches. Laneaux singled and Gonzalez walked, bringing Simpson to the plate again. With a 3-2 count, she launched her second home run of the day down the right field line.

Bailey Betenbaugh earned her fourth victory of the season, throwing 1 1-3 innings of relief, striking out two while not allowing a hit. Four Gamecock pitchers struck out eight batters in the game, while scattering four hits and two walks.

GAME 2

The Gamecocks scored four runs in the top of the first and never looked back. After a single by Cummings and double from Blampied, Laneaux singled to score both runners. Gonzalez singled and Simpson was hit by a pitch, bringing up Desiderio who hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Laneaux. After the play, Gonzalez stole home while Mercer’s focus was on Simpson attempting to go to second.

South Carolina blew the game open in the fourth, scoring seven runs. A leadoff walk to Simpson got the inning started as Aniyah Black brought her home on a pinch-hit single. After a walk, Fabian brought home Emma Sellers on a single to right. Cummings stepped in and on a 3-1 pitch, connected on her second home run of the day, a three-run shot. Blampied followed by depositing a 2-1 pitch over the center field wall, her second of the season. Not to be out-done, Laneaux sent a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall for her first home run of the season. It was the first time Gamecocks hit three home runs in an inning since April 25, 2018, against USC Upstate.

Karson Ochs didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning, as she picked up fourth win. She pitched a complete game, striking out six batters, allowed four hits, and walked none.

The Gamecocks face Tennessee Tech tomorrow (Feb. 25) on day two of the Mercer Bear Invitational at 6:30 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.

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