Bryant Walks It Off for No. 22 Gamecocks in 11th Inning

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Denver Bryant’s RBI double in the 11th inning gave the 22nd ranked South Carolina softball team (27-10) a 2-1 win over Winthrop (17-21) Wednesday night (April 3).

Zoe Laneaux led Carolina with two hits on the night, including a solo home run.

The Carolina pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts, the fifth most in a game since 2000. Alana Vawter (11-5) threw the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out four. Bailey Betenbaugh started in the circle, throwing three innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out one. Reganne Bennett came on and struck out two in an inning of work. Jori Heard pitch five innings, allowing one hit, and striking out eight.

Winthrop scored its lone run in the fourth inning off a single and a double. They would load the bases in the fourth, but Bennett shut the door by striking out Peyton Rivas.

Carolina was down to its final two outs when Laneaux came through in the clutch. With a full count in the bottom of the seventh, Laneaux connected on her first home run of the season, a solo shot to left center.

The Eagles got a pair of base runners in the 10th, but Vawter got out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to end the inning.

After the first two Gamecocks batters were retired in the 11th, South Carolina rallied. Marissa Gonzalez reached on a single to the shortstop and promptly stole second. With a 2-2 count, Bryant hit a rope though the left side, scoring Gonzalez from second and sending the South Carolina dugout spilling onto the field.

The Gamecocks improved to 6-2 in extra-inning games this season. They have now played four 10-plus inning games this year, the most in Division I.

South Carolina continues its homestand when it hosts No. 17 Mississippi State April 5-7.

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.