Ensley’s Grand Slam Powers No. 19 Softball to Run-Rule Victory

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 19 South Carolina softball team (10-5) defeated Charlotte (12-5) 9-1 in a five-inning run-rule fashion Tuesday night (Feb. 24).

Tori Ensley led the offense, going 3-for-3, including two singles and a grand slam for five RBIs on the night. Quincee Lilio went 2-for-2 with an RBI and drew two walks. Nia McKnight also went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Lexi Winters drove in a pair of runs on the night.

South Carolina started the scoring in the bottom of the second when Winters hit an RBI double off the base of the wall in left field to bring home Ensley. McKnight extended the lead with an RBI double of her own to score Winters.

In the third inning, Arianna Rodi led off with a walk and Tate Davis followed with a single to center. Ensley delivered her first RBI of the night with a single that brought home pinch runner Lexie Shaver. The Gamecocks continued to build their lead when Davis came home on an RBI groundout by Winters.

After Charlotte scored a run in the top of the fourth, South Carolina kept the bats going heading into the bottom of the inning. McKnight singled and stole second to get the ball rolling. Lilio singled and Karley Shelton drew a walk to load the bases. With two outs and a 2-2 count, Ensley connected on her third home run of the season and her first career grand slam. It was also the first grand slam of the season by the Gamecocks, giving them an 8-1 lead.

South Carolina put the run rule in effect in the fifth when Shae Anderson singled and stole second. After a walk to McKnight and a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Lilio ended it with a single to center, scoring Anderson for the final run of the game.

Emma Friedel got the start and threw four innings. She finished with five strikeouts and allowed one run on three hits to get the win and move to 5-1 on the season.

The Gamecocks go right back to work when they travel to in-state foe Winthrop Wednesday (Feb. 25), with first pitch set for 6 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.