Softball Drops Series Opener to 12th Ranked Bulldogs

ATHENS, Ga. – The South Carolina softball team (32-13, 7-9) dropped its SEC series opener 2-1 to 12th ranked Georgia (35-10, 13-5) Friday night (Apr. 21).

Riley Blampied led the way, going 2-for-4 on the night. Donnie Gobourne took the loss despite holding the Bulldogs, who entered the game leading the SEC in both batting average and runs scored, to their second fewest runs and hits in a conference game. She threw a complete game, while striking out five.

The Gamecocks put runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings but were unable to come up with a timely hit to bring home a run.

Georgia struck first with a run in the second off a pair of singles. They added on another in the fifth on a wild pitch.

South Carolina got on the scoreboard in the sixth. Aniyah Black was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. She advanced to second on a fly out, third on a single by Marissa Gonzalez, before scoring on a groundout by Brooke Blankenship.

Carolina put the tying run on base in the seventh when Zoe Laneaux reached on an infield single, but she would be stranded there as the final out was recorded.

Game two of the series will be tomorrow (Apr. 22) at noon and be broadcast on the SEC Network. The game is also the All For Alex game across the SEC, with each team wearing teal to bring awareness for ovarian cancer, in honor of former Mississippi State player Alex Wilcox, who passed away in 2018.

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.