Gamecocks Fall to Longhorns in SEC Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 23rd ranked South Carolina softball team (15-7, 0-1) dropped its SEC opener Friday night (Mar. 6) to No. 3 Texas (20-1, 1-0) 4-2.

Quincee Lilio led Carolina with two hits on the night as the Gamecocks out-hit the Longhorns 6-to-5.

Texas jumped out to an early lead with a bases loaded walk in the first. Carolina tied it in the second. Tori Ensley and Tate Davis led off the inning with back-to-back singles. A walk to Shae Anderson loaded the bases and another walk to Alyssa Hovermale brought home Ensley.

The Longhorns got a two-out, two-run home run in the third to go back into the lead. Carolina responded in the bottom half of the frame when Lilio scored on a double play.

In the seventh, Texas added an insurance run with two outs. The Gamecocks brought the tying run to the plate after Jamie Mackay was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but the next three outs were recorded to end the game.

Nealy Lamb (2-3) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in 2 1-3 innings. Jori Heard came on for the final 4 2-3, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out four.

Game two of the series will be Saturday at 3 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.