Gamecocks Fall to No. 4 Tennessee Saturday Afternoon

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The South Carolina softball team (33-19, 8-15) was unable to hold on to its early lead, as Carolina fell 4-2 to No. 4 Tennessee (41-7, 19-4) Saturday afternoon (May 6).

Brooke Blankenship was the only player in the game with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-2 with a run scored.

The Gamecocks punched back in the third after Tennessee got a leadoff home run in the first. Blankenship singled to right field and stole second. She scored when Jordan Fabian beat the throw to reach on an infield single.

South Carolina took its first lead of the weekend in the fourth. With two outs, Aniyah Black walked. Pinch runner Haley Simpson went to second on a passed ball and third on a wild pitch. She scored when the Tennessee third baseman made a throwing error off the bat of Giulia Desiderio.

The Lady Vols took the lead for good in the sixth with a three-run home run with two outs.

Donnie Gobourne took the loss (9-6) as she held the Lady Vols to three hits, while striking out 10, but surrendered five walks. The three hits allowed are the third fewest in SEC play against Tennessee.

The Gamecocks and Lady Vols wrap up the regular season tomorrow at 1:30 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.