Complete Team Effort Power Gamecocks Past No. 23 Texas A&M

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team (28-12, 5-8) defeated No. 23 Texas A&M (26-14, 8-8) 6-2 Friday night (Apr. 14) in game one of their SEC series.

Prior to the game, Carolina kicked off alumnae weekend by recognizing its most recent All-American, Mackenzie Boesel, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Welcome home @NFCAorg All-American @mackenzieboesel! She threw out tonight’s first pitch…she’s a second baseman ☺️#Gamecocks | #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/SIRJ2bhVey

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 14, 2023

Seven different players recorded a hit on the night for the Gamecocks and six different players scored a run.

The Aggies drew first in the first inning on a two-run homerun. Carolina responded with four of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Jordan Fabian, Zoe Laneaux, and Riley Blampied loaded the bases on a hit by pitch, walk, and a bunt single. Aniyah Black delivered a bases clearing double to the right center gap, giving the Gamecocks a lead they would not relinquish. Black scored the fourth run of the inning of a wild pitch when Marissa Gonzalez walked.

B-1 | Aniyah clears them all putting Carolina back in front!!@black_aniyah

🐔3 | 2 👍 pic.twitter.com/07xlCXaw9z

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 14, 2023

In the third, Jen Cummings doubled to right with two outs. Brooke Blankenship followed with an RBI single down the right field line, scoring pinch runner Haley Simpson.

E-3 | Blankenship with a clutch two-out knock scoring Simpson 👏! Donnie Gobourne into the circle for the Gamecocks!@brooke_blank4 @h_simpson11

🐔5 | 2 👍 pic.twitter.com/8sMmcVk2gU

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 14, 2023

The Gamecocks added to the lead in the fourth when with one out, Emma Sellers connected on her first home run of the season, nearly clearing the netting down the left field line.

B-4 | Emma Sellers has entered the chat 💣. Her 1st blast on the year!!@emmasellerss

🐔6 | 2 👍 pic.twitter.com/m94ckS1ETU

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 14, 2023

The Carolina pitching staff locked in from the second inning on and allowed only two Aggie hits over the final six innings. Karsen Ochs relieved starting pitcher Jori Heard in the second and picked up her sixth victory of the season. She tossed two innings of hitless ball, retiring all six batters she faced.

Donnie Gobourne came on in the fourth and picked up her fifth save of the year for the Gamecocks. She struck out four Aggies and walked two while allowing two hits.

FINAL | Gamecocks win, down go the No. 23 Aggies! #Gamecocks | @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/cQF8ynSxIv

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 15, 2023

The Gamecocks return to action tomorrow (Apr. 15), for game two against Texas A&M with first pitch set for 2 p.m. on the SEC Network.

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.