Gamecocks Sweep Weekend With Run-Rule Victory Over UNCW

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team completed the weekend sweep of the Gamecocks Invitational Sunday afternoon (Mar. 5), as Carolina earned a run-rule victory 8-0 over UNCW. The Gamecocks improve to 19-2 on the season, their best start since 2018 when they started 20-1.

Jordan Fabian went 2-for-2 at the plate with two walks, an RBI, a run scored, and two stolen bases. Jen Cummings drove in two runs, while Aaliyah White scored twice.

The Gamecock pitching staff limited the Seahawks to two hits on the day, a pair of singles. Karsen Ochs earned the win in two innings of relief and striking out three. Donnie Gobourne earned her fourth save of the season, retiring all three batters she faced in the sixth. Starter Rachel Vaughn was nearly perfect in three innings of work, allowing one hit and striking out four.

South Carolina scored in the bottom of the first without the aid of a hit. Jordan Fabian led off with a walk, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. She scored when Riley Blampied fouled out to the first baseman, but no one was covering home, allowing Fabian to score easily.

In the fifth, the Gamecocks plated a pair of runs. With one out, White singled and Giulia Desiderio doubled to put runners on second and third. White scrambled home on a wild pitch and Desiderio scored on a single through the left side by Fabian.

Carolina ended the game in the sixth, scoring five runs, all of which came with two outs. The Gamecocks loaded the bases on three walks. With two outs, Desiderio was hit by a pitch, bringing home Blampied. Brooke Blankenship drew another walk to score Marissa Gonzalez and White once again scored on a wild pitch. Another walk to Fabian brought Cummings to a plate, where she ended it with a single up the middle, scoring Emma Sellers and Blankenship.

The Gamecocks will take Monday off before returning to the Carolina Softball Stadium for a game on March 7 against Winthrop at 6 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.