No. 23 Gamecocks Hit Four Home Runs to Run Rule Eagles

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A four-home run night for the 23rd ranked South Carolina (17-10) softball team propelled them to a 10-2 six-inning run-rule victory over Boston College (9-16) Friday night (Mar. 13) to open their three-game series.

The four combined home runs are the most since also hitting four against then-No. 2 Oklahoma last season on March 9. Tate Davis and Lexi Winters led the way with two hits on the night. Karley Shelton led all players with three RBIs.

The Gamecocks scored at least one run in five of the six innings. They led early thanks to a leadoff single from Quincee Lilio. Later, with two outs, Tori Ensley stole second, but the throw from the BC catcher sailed into center field, allowing Lilio to score easily from third.

In the third, Carolina got two runs on a single up the middle from Davis and a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Hovermale.

On the first pitch of the fourth inning Shae Anderson connected on her fifth home run of the season to straight away center field. It’s the second straight game Anderson has led off an inning with a home run. The Gamecocks tacked on a run after Nia McKnight followed with a triple and scored on a groundout by Shelton.

In the fifth, Hovermale drew a one-out walk and Winters followed with a double to the right center gap. A throwing error by the Boston College shortstop allowed pinch runner Dakota Potter to score.

The Eagles scored both of their runs in the top of the sixth. The Gamecocks responded with a two-run home run by Shelton, her fourth of the season. One out later Ensley bashed her team-leading sixth home run of the season on a 2-1 pitch. Then with two outs, it was Jamie Mackay on a 3-1 count to walk it off with her first home run of the season to straight away center.

Emma Friedel (7-3) earned the win and tied a season-high with nine strikeouts. She tossed five scoreless innings and allowing only one hit.

Game two of the series will be tomorrow at 3 p.m. for Josey Marron Day. The first 100 fans will receive a Josey Marron button.

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.