No. 11 Gamecocks Secure Third Top-15 Series Win

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 11/10 South Carolina softball team (24-5) secured their third top-15 series win of the season, as the Gamecocks took down No. 12/12 Texas Tech (23-9) with a 1-0 Saturday afternoon (Mar. 22).

Game Two proved to be a pitcher’s duel. Starter Jori Heard and Sam Gress (7-2) shared the duties for Carolina, while reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady (10-4) took to the circle for Texas Tech.

Heard went three scoreless frames and scattering two singles, while Gress closed out the game with four innings and just one single in the seventh. It marks South Carolina’s eight shutout of the season.

Natalie Heath provided the power at the plate, hitting a solo shot off the left field foul pole in the bottom of the third. Heath’s home run marks the first homer allowed by Canady this season. It was Heath’s sixth homer of the season, which leaves her second on the team to only Arianna Rodi (10) for the team lead.

Both teams tried to get something going on the bases in the fifth inning. Lexi Winters gunned down a Raider runner trying to steal second base in the top of the frame, while Nia McKnight showed off her speed with her third stolen base of the season in the bottom of the frame.

Winters’ stellar shot wasn’t the only notable defense by the Gamecocks. The infield turned two inning-ending double plays in the top of the first and second innings. Left fielder Emily Vinson made a remarkable running catch to snag a foul ball that nearly landed in the visit bullpen in the top of the third.

South Carolina will go for the series sweep Sunday at noon.

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.