No. 23 Gamecocks Walk Off Michigan State in Run Rule Victory

COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the second straight day the 23rd ranked South Carolina softball team (20-5) capped its night with a walk-off win, as the Gamecocks earned an 8-0 run-rule victory in five innings over Michigan State (12-11) Friday night (March 15).

Reganne Bennett started and earned the combine shutout, tossing two innings, striking out three, and allowing three hits. Jori Heard (5-1) picked up the win after coming on for the final three innings, scattering two hits and striking out three.

Denver Bryant and Carlie Henderson led the Gamecocks at the plate, each collecting two hits on the night. Riley Blampied and Karley Shelton each drove in two runs, while Henderson and Giulia Desiderio both scored twice.

The Gamecocks got the ball rolling in the second when Kianna Jones led off with a single. Bennett came up to bat and promptly delivered a double over the centerfielders head, scoring Jones. After a sacrifice bunt moved Desiderio, who had come in to run, to third, Blampied brought her home on a single to right.

After stranding runners in the third and fourth, Carolina put the game away scoring six runs in the fifth. Bryant started things with a triple to right and then scored on a groundout by Jen Cummings. Alana Vawter followed with a double down the left field line. Pinch runner Kyye Ricks scored on a single up the middle by Jones.

After a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases, Blampied drew a walk to bring home Jones. On the first pitch to Shelton, she singled to left, scoring Desiderio and Brooke Blankenship. The final exclamation mark came from the same person who started the inning, as Bryant singled to right center, scoring Blampied and ending the game on a walk-off.

South Carolina returns to action for day three of the Garnet & Black Invitational tomorrow when it takes on Minnesota at 5:30 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.