Seventh Inning Rally Come Up Just Short for Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team had its 14-game winning streak snapped Tuesday night (Feb. 28), as the Gamecocks fell to the Stetson Hatters (12-5) 4-3. Carolina now sits at 14-2 on the season.

Brooke Blankenship led the Gamecocks on the night going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jordan Fabian drove in a pair of runs for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks struck first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third. Guilia Desiderio doubled to the right-center gap with one out. Two batters later and with a 2-0 count, Jordan Fabian hit a two-run blast to left, putting Carolina in front. It was Fabian’s team-leading fifth home run on the season and her fourth consecutive game hitting a round tripper.

B-3 | 💣brought to you by @jerdan_12 . Her fourth straight game with a home run puts Carolina on the board 🤙

🐔2 | 0 🤠 pic.twitter.com/nbScadgK2b

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) February 28, 2023

Stetson responded in the top of the fourth taking the lead with three runs, before added one more in the top of the seventh.

The Gamecocks began to rally in the last of the seventh when pinch hitter Hannah Hawley doubled with one out. One out later, Blankenship singled home Emma Sellers, who re-entered for Hawley. The rally would come up just short as the final out was recorded on a hard-hit line drive.

Karsen Ochs took the loss for South Carolina in the circle, allowing three runs in two innings of work. Rachel Vaughan started in the circle and threw two scoreless frames and did not allow a hit. Donnie Gobourne relived Ochs, allowing one run in three innings, while striking out six.

Carolina returns to action tomorrow (March 1) to face North Carolina (7-9). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Carolina Softball Stadium.

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.