No. 23 Gamecocks Earn Third Straight Shutout

COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the third straight day, the No. 23 South Carolina softball team (21-5) earned a shutout, as the Gamecocks earned a 4-0 victory over Minnesota (14-12) Saturday night (March 16) at the Garnet & Black Invitational.

Alana Vawter (7-3) was dominate in the circle, throwing a complete game shutout. She struck out six and scattered four hits, while not allowing a walk.

Denver Bryant and Carlie Henderson each finished the night 2-for-3 at the plate. Bryant also led the team with two RBIs.

Carolina jumped out in front in the bottom of the first. Riley Blampied led off the inning with a walk and Karley Shelton followed with a single up the middle. Following a sacrifice bunt by Bryant, Blampied scored on a groundout by Jen Cummings.

In the second, Bryant added to the lead of the Gamecocks. With one out, Henderson singled and Brooke Blankenship drew a walk. One out later, Carolina loaded the bases on a walk to Shelton. Bryant came to the plate and on the second pitch, delivered a single up the middle, scoring Henderson and Blankenship.

South Carolina capped off the scoring in the fifth with two outs. Aniyah Black got the ball rolling with a two-out single to right center. Henderson followed with a single through the right side. Pinch runner Marissa Gonzalez went to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch.

The Gamecocks wrap up Garnet & Black Invitational tomorrow when they take on NC State at 3 p.m. and Northwestern 30 minutes after that game ends.

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.