No. 10 Gamecocks Walk Off No. 19 Ole Miss in Extra Innings

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 10/9 South Carolina softball team (29-7, 5-5) secured an 1-0 walk-off win in eighth innings against the No. 19/20 Ole Miss (28-8, 5-5) Friday night (Apr. 4).

Sam Gress dazzled in her eighth start of the season, going 7 2-3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just one walk. Her seven strikeouts tie her season high for the second straight weekend.

In what proved to be a pitchers’ duel to the end, the Carolina defense was crucial. Gress took matters into her glove, fielding a comebacker to the circle for the final out in the fifth inning.

Brooke Blankenship made a stellar play from deep in the hole at shortstop and delivering a perfect throw to first in the top of the sixth inning, helping to keep the Rebels off the board.

Jori Heard (12-2) entered the circle with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, and she needed just one pitch to retire the final Ole Miss batter with a fly out to center.

The Gamecocks were able to walk their way to a win in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Karley Shelton and Arianna Rodi drew back-to-back four-pitch walks. Ella Chancey joined them with a walk of her own to load the bases. Abigail Knight followed that with the fourth consecutive walk of the inning, one she also drew on just four pitches. Knight’s walk brought home pinch runner Nia McKnight, the only run of the night, and secured the shutout for South Carolina. The Gamecocks tallied ten walks in total, two off a program record they tied earlier this season.

Alumnae Weekend continues with game two at noon tomorrow on the SEC Network.

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.