Softball’s Historic Tournament Run Ends in SEC Championship Game

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The South Carolina softball team (37-20) was unable to pull off the comeback magic one final time in SEC Tournament championship game, as the Gamecocks fell to top-seeded and No. 4 ranked Tennessee (44-8) 3-1 Saturday afternoon (May 13).

The Gamecocks became the lowest seed in SEC Tournament history to make the finals and also became the first double-digit seed to reach the championship game. Donnie Gobourne, Jordan Fabian, and Marissa Gonzalez were named to the SEC All-Tournament Team.

.@DawnStaley is a big fan of @GamecockSoftbll‘s Donnie Gobourne 🤙 pic.twitter.com/Od4aHiyfSy

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 13, 2023

The Gamecocks jumped out to the early lead as Zoe Laneaux tripled with one out in the top of the first. Riley Blampied brought her home on a sacrifice fly to center field, giving South Carolina the advantage.

T-1 | Get ’em on, get ’em in! The Gamecocks lead on a sac fly by @Rileybrooklyn22 to score @zoe_laneaux.
💻📱 https://t.co/3nFr9ezS5F

🐔 1 | 0 🐶 pic.twitter.com/XdBFjZrZ6j

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) May 13, 2023

The Lady Vols tied it on a couple of hits in the bottom of the inning, scoring with two outs.Tennessee took the lead in the third with two outs, scoring twice on a two-out single after a South Carolina error extended the inning.

Carolina looked to have some magic left in the tank when Aniyah Black led off the top of the seventh with a double to the right-center gap. That is where the rally ended for the Gamecocks, as the next three batters were retired to end the game.

Karsen Ochs (7-6) took the loss, allowing two unearned runs in 1 1-3 innings. Bailey Betenbaugh started for Carolina and allowed one run in in 1 2-3 innings. Gobourne finished the game throwing the final three innings, allowing two hits, and striking out four.

E-4 | @DGobourne14 gets a pair of strikeouts to end the inning and strand two runners!

🐔 1 | 3 🐶 pic.twitter.com/80NMfGtJMh

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) May 13, 2023

The Gamecocks now await to hear their named called tomorrow during Selection Sunday on ESPN2 starting at 7 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.