Heard Strikes Out 10 as Gamecocks Start Season 5-0

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team (5-0) swept its home-opening tournament, the Gamecock Invitational, with a 1-0 win against East Carolina (2-2) Sunday (Feb. 9).

Jori Heard was a star in the circle improving to 3-0 on the season and setting a new career-high with 10 strikeouts in the game. The complete-game shutout is the third of Heard’s career, which included a perfect game last season against Bethune-Cookman. Heard allowed four hits and one walk. Nine of her 10 strikeouts were swinging.

Lexi Winters drove in the game’s only run in the sixth inning with a single up the middle to score Ella Chancey. Winters finished the weekend leading the team with six RBI.

Quincee Lilio walked to lead off the bottom of the first. She’s now reached base to start four of the five games this weekend. Lilio’s batting a team-leading .643 with nine hits and four RBI. She’s also tied for the team lead with six walks.

South Carolina’s defense turned an inning-ending double play in the top of the second. Carolina has now turned five inning-ending double plays on the season.

The Gamecocks return to Beckham Field Thursday (Feb. 13) to open the Carolina Classic against Georgia State 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.