Softball . February 18, 2025

Program Record 12 Walks Lead to Walk Off Win Against UNC

Box Score

Game #1

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 21 South Carolina softball team (11-0) defended its perfect record with a 11-3 run-rule win in six innings against North Carolina (9-3) Tuesday (Feb. 18). It marks the Gamecocks sixth run-rule victory in a row and seventh overall.

North Carolina jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first. Jori Heard entered the game with no outs and promptly struck out the first Tar Heel batter she faced. Heard would go on to retire 19 of the next 21 batters to improve to a 5-0 on the season. She tallied four strikeouts while scattering two hits and no earned runs across six innings.

The Gamecocks got a run back in the bottom of the fourth thanks to three straight singles by Lexi Winters, Abigail Knight, and Natalie Heath.

The momentum swung in favor of South Carolina when Arianna Rodi and Winters both hit home runs in the bottom of the fifth. Rodi’s home run tied the game 3-3. Her two-run homer to straight-away center marks her team-leading third of the season. Winters hit a two-run shot of her own with two outs, scoring Ella Chancey and putting the Gamecocks in the lead.

South Carolina put the game away in the bottom of the sixth, scoring six runs. Heath led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to right center for her second hit of the game. Audrey Wilson and Karley Shelton drew walks to load the bases. After that, the Gamecocks drew six consecutive bases-loaded walks for a run-rule win in unique fashion.

Quincee Lilio and Chancey extended their on-base streaks to 11 games.

The 12 walks in one game ties the program record. Nine players on the Gamecock roster drew a walk, led by Shelton’s three.

South Carolina returns to the field for the Garnet & Black Invitational which begins Friday. The Gamecocks take on Boston University at 5 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.