Gamecocks Fall in Game Two to Ole Miss

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 10/9 South Carolina softball team (29-8, 5-6) fell 2-1 to No. 19/20 Ole Miss (29-8, 6-5) Saturday afternoon (Apr. 5) in game two of the series.

Hall of Fame former Carolina softball head coach Joyce Compton threw out the ceremonial first pitch surrounded by over 70 former alumnae.

After a 1-0 pitchers’ duel Friday night, the two teams competed in another pitchers’ duel Saturday. Jori Heard got the start for South Carolina and scattered two hits and five strikeouts across 3 2-3 innings. She struck out the side in the third inning.

The Rebels took the lead on an RBI single in the top of the fourth, but the Gamecocks battled back to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth. With two on and two out, Brooke Blankenship singled to shortstop and Ella Chancey scored all the way from second on the infield single.

Sam Gress (8-4) took the ball from Heard in the top of the fourth, striking out a pair and allowing no walks in her 3 1-3 innings pitched.

Ole Miss plated a the final in the top of the seventh. Emily Vinson and Arianna Rodi drew walks in the bottom of the frame to put the winning run on base, but the final out was recorded.

The two teams will meet in the rubber match of the series at 3 p.m. Sunday 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.