No. 23 Softball Earns Pair of Victories on Day Two of Carolina Classic
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 23rd ranked South Carolina softball team improved to 4-0 on the season as the Gamecocks earned a pair of wins on the second day of the Carolina Classic, 6-1 over Virginia and 4-2 over Jacksonville State.
Riley Blampied continued her hot start to the season as she finished the day 4-for-7 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Brooke Blankenship went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, while Kianna Jones went 3-for-3.
GAME 1
What started out as a pitcher’s duel saw neither team score until the Gamecocks broke it open with four runs in the fifth inning. Carolina batted around in the inning, which began with Carlie Henderson scoring on a fielder’s choice by Bre Warren. With two outs, Aniyah Black doubled to the left center gap, bringing home Warren and Blampied. Blankenship finished it off with a single to score pinch runner Kyye Ricks.
South Carolina added to the lead in the sixth when Henderson scored on a wild pitch. Warren followed with a double to deep center, scoring Blampied. The lone run for the Cavaliers came in the top of the seventh on a home run.
Jori Heard earned her first win of the season as she scattered two hits over five innings and struck out four. Alana Vawter came on for the final two innings and allowed one run on one hit.
GAME 2
South Carolina didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard in the last game of the day. Blankenship took the first pitch she saw for a double to the left center gap. Blampied then tripled down the right field line, scoring Blankenship.
With two outs in the second, Blankenship drove home Karley Shelton on a single to center. Blampied again followed, connecting on her third double of the season, scoring Emma Sellers and Blankenship.
That would be all the run support the Carolina pitchers would need to capture the victory. Jacksonville State scored an unearned run in the third and added a solo home run in the fourth.
Freshman Reganne Bennett earn her first career victory, throwing four innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits and striking out four. Fellow freshman Sage Mardjetko earned her second save of the season, pitching the final three innings and allowing one hit and two strikeouts.
The Gamecocks close out the Carolina Classic tomorrow with a rematch against Virginia at 12:30 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.
