Heard Dominates in the Circle, No. 25 Softball defeat No. 7 Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Behind a dominant pitching performance from Jori Heard, the No. 25 South Carolina softball team (23-16, 3-8) took down No. 7 Tennessee (31-6, 8-6) 5-1 Friday night (Apr. 3).

Jori Heard pitched a complete game gem, holding the Volunteers to four hits on the night. She allowed one run and struck out three. Tori Ensley led the Gamecocks at the dish going 2-for-2 with a home run. Arianna Rodi drove in two runs on the night.

Quincee Lilio got it started for Carolina in the third, drawing a walk with two outs. Karley Shelton reached on a throwing error by the second baseman to put both runners in scoring position. Two pitches later, Rodi shot one down the right field line and off the chalk to bring home both runners.

The Gamecocks added to the lead in the fourth when they loaded the bases after a single and a couple of walks. Nia McKnight brought home a run on a fielder’s choice to shortstop.

Ensley hit her seventh home run of the season to lead off the sixth. Tennessee’s only run came with two outs in the bottom of the frame.

Alyssa Hovermale led off the seventh with what was originally called a double off the wall but was later changed to an error by the centerfielder. She scored when Shelton doubled to right center.

Heard induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to secure the victory.

The rubber game of the series Saturday has been pushed back to a 6 p.m. first pitch and will now be broadcast on ESPN.

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.