Gamecocks Earn Win over Utah in Opening Game of NCAA Tournament

DURHAM, N.C. – The South Carolina Softball team (35-22) took care of business in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon (May 17), as the Gamecocks earned a 2-1 victory over Utah (34-21).

Carolina and Utah each finished the day with four hits. The top half of the order had all four hits for the Gamecocks. Alana Vawter (17-12) threw a complete game, striking out four and walking two.

All the runs for both teams came in the third inning. Utah scored first on a pair of doubles. Carolina answered right back in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff walk by Denver Bryant and a double by Riley Blampied put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Jen Cummings brought home Bryant and moved Blampied to third. After running the count full, Aniyah Black singled to shallow center, scoring Blampied, and giving South Carolina the lead.

The Utes put the tying run on base in each of the final three innings, but Vawter was able to escape the jam each time.

The Gamecocks will face the winner of Duke and Morgan State at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

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.