No. 13 Gamecocks Throw Two-Hitter for 1-0 Win

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 13/12 South Carolina softball team (34-11, 9-8) clinched the series against Kentucky (27-19, 6-11) in a 1-0 victory Sunday night (Apr. 20). It is Carolina’s fourth SEC series win of the season, their most since 2018.

The win was supported by solid pitching performances by Nealy Lamb and Sam Gress, who combined go give up just two hits. Lamb got the start for the Gamecocks surrendering one hit and a strikeout in 4 2-3 innings pitched. Gress entered the circle in the fifth giving up just one hit of her own, striking out two in 2 1-3 innings of work.

Emily Vinson led off the bottom of the fifth, drawing a walk before Quincee Lilio singled up the middle to advance her. Karley Shelton hit into a fielder’s choice up the middle, allowing Vinson to score all the way from second to give the Gamecocks the 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.

The Carolina defense turned a pair of inning-ending double plays in the second and third innings. The Wildcats never threatened again, as they had only one batter reach in the final four innings.

Lilio led the offense with two hits, including a double, while Arianna Rodi extended her on-base streak to 37 games with a walk in the first inning.

The Gamecocks will go for the sweep against Kentucky Monday night at 7 p.m. for the final game of the series 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.