Gamecocks Fall in Extra Innings to No. 16 Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The South Carolina softball team (26-10, 3-7) fell in nine innings at No. 16 Alabama (27-11, 5-5) 2-1 Thursday night (Apr. 6).
Riley Blampied led Carolina offensively with two hits on the night. Brooke Blankenship collected the other hit while also drawing a walk.
The Crimson Tide scored first in the third after a one-out double, a Carolina error, and a single to bring home the run.
E-4 | @pitcher_girl!!! Three straight pitches and she gets the strikeout to end the inning and leave them loaded!
💻📱 https://t.co/BjkKTAMz14🐔 0 | 1 🐘 pic.twitter.com/BgrARXH7CB
— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 6, 2023
The Gamecock offense had a tough time getting going against the Alabama pitching, as they were held without a hit until the fifth inning with Blampied led off with a single to right. After a walk to Jen Cummings, Blankenship reached on an infield single. Two outs later, it looked like the rally ended when Emma Sellers struck out. However, after head coach Beverly Smith challenged the call at first base, Sellers was ruled safe, and Giulia Desiderio’s run counted to tie the game.
South Carolina loaded the bases in the sixth with two outs but were unable to push a run across.
Relief pitcher Karsen Ochs did not allow a base runner to reach in the sixth, seventh, or eighth innings, but Alabama was able to break through in the ninth. After back-to-back singles, a third single brought home the winning run.
Ochs (5-3) allowed one run on four hits and two strikeouts in 4 2-3 innings of relief. Starting pitcher Leah Powell threw 3 2-3 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits.
The second game of the series will be tomorrow, April 7, at 6 p.m. CT.
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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