No. 23 Gamecocks Take Down Rival Tigers in 12 Innings

CLEMSON, S.C. – The 23rd ranked South Carolina softball team (22-7) took down rival and 11th ranked Clemson (21-7) 6-4 Wednesday night (March 20) in 12 innings. The Gamecocks take the early advantage to earning the point for the Palmetto Series Presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery. The two teams will meet in Columbia on April 9 for the final game of the series.

The 12 innings was the third longest game in Division I softball this season. It’s also the longest game for South Carolina since playing 12 innings against Arkansas on April 15, 2000.

Carlie Henderson led all players on the night going 3-for-5 at the plate. Giulia Desiderio and Jen Cummings each finished with two hits on the night. Cummings and Riley Blampied led Carolina with two RBIs.

Alana Vawter threw a complete game in the circle, the longest outing of her career. She retired 14 in-a-row from the first through fifth innings and later retired eight in-a-row from the seventh through 10th innings. She finished her night allowing three earned runs on seven hits, walking three, and striking out two. Vawter threw 158 pitches on the night with 23 of the 36 outs coming on groundballs.

The Gamecocks jumped out to the early lead, scoring twice in the top of the first. After a Clemson error on the first pitch of the game and a walk to Vawter, Cummings singled down the right field line to score Blampied. Karley Shelton brought home Reagan Marchant, who had run for Vawter, on a groundout to the second baseman.

The Tigers tied it in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run.

South Carolina regained the lead with two outs in the third when Cummings connect on her first home run of the season, going opposite way to left field.

Carolina would maintain the lead until the sixth when the Tigers tied the game on a sacrifice fly.

The game would remain tied and head to extra innings. Both teams had chances in extras, but it was the Gamecocks going in front in the 12th. Three straight singles by Henderson, Desiderio, and Blankenship loaded the bases. A groundball to the second baseman by Denver Bryant allowed Henderson to score after the initial out call was overturned on video review. On the very next pitch, Riley Blampied shot one back up the middle, bringing home Desiderio and Blankenship.

The Tigers added a run in the bottom on the 12th on an error and a couple of hits, but Vawter enticed a pair of pop outs to end the game and the South Carolina celebration began.

Carolina returns home to take host No. 7 Tennessee for its SEC home opener Saturday at 6 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.