Softball Earn Pair of Walk-Off Run-Rule Victories

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team (8-0) earned a pair of walk-off run-rule victories Friday night (Feb. 14) at the Carolina Classic. The Gamecocks took down Georgia State (0-7) 9-1 and defeated Miami (Ohio) (2-5) 8-0 in the nightcap.

The win over Georgia State was also the 1,700th win in program history. Carolina’s 8-0 start is the best since 2017 when they also began the season 8-0. The 8-0 start is also the best start by a South Carolina first-year head coach since Frankie Porter led the Gamecocks to 20-straight wins in 1976.

Six different players finished with multiple hits on the day, led by Arianna Rodi who was 3-for-6 with seven RBIs and three runs scored. Karley Shelton also had three hits to go along with four RBIs.

GAME 1

The Gamecocks jumped out to the early lead against the Panthers when Rodi connected on her first home run of the season, a three-run shot to right center.

After Georgia State scored one in the second, Carolina got it back in the fifth on an RBI double from Ella Chancey.

In the sixth, South Carolina put the pedal to the metal, scoring five runs. An RBI single by Abigail Knight got things going. Shelton brought home two runs on a double, Rodi added another on a single, before Chancey finished it off with the walk-off RBI double.

Nealy Lamb earned her second win of the season, throwing 4 1-3 innings of relief. She retired all 13 batters she faced, finishing with seven strikeouts.

GAME 2

Carolina earned its fifth shutout of the season as Jori Heard went the distance against Miami. She struck out nine RedHawks and scattered four hits.

It was Rodi again breaking the game open. With two on and one out in the third, Rodi absolutely crushed a 2-1 pitch 278 feet to dead center.

For good measure, the Gamecocks added three runs in the fifth on a fielder’s choice and a two-run single from Emma Sellers.

Shelton put the exclamation point on the night with her second home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field.

The Carolina Classic continues tomorrow when the Gamecocks take on Miami in a rematch at 3:30 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.