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Softball Hits the Road for Final Game of Palmetto Series
Softball  . 

Softball Hits the Road for Final Game of Palmetto Series

CLEMSON, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team heads to the Upstate Tuesday for the final game of the Palmetto Series Presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

SERIES HISTORY
Series History: Clemson leads 10-3
Trend: Clemson won 2
Last Meeting: Clemson 8, South Carolina 0 | Mar. 25, 2025 | Columbia, S.C.

Palmetto Series Presented by the SC Education Lottery

RV South Carolina Gamecocks (23-20, 3-12)
vs.
RV Clemson Tigers (27-16, 9-9)
Clemson, S.C. | McWhorter Stadium
TV: ACC Network
ONLINE:

RV South Carolina Gamecocks 23-20, 3-12 SEC
Coach: Ashley Woodard | 2nd Season
AVG Leader: .360 | Quincee Lilio
RBI Leader: 34 | Karley Shelton
Home Run Leader: 8 | Tori Ensley
ERA Leader: 1.77 | Jori Heard
Strikeout Leader: 86 | Jori Heard
Wins Leader: 8 | Emma Friedel

RV Clemson Tigers 27-16, 9-9 ACC
Coach: John Rittman | 7th Season
AVG Leader: .357 | Marian Collins
RBI Leader: 33 | Mac Pavese
Home Run Leader: 8 | Corri Hicks
ERA Leader: 2.67 | Lexie Hames
Strikeout Leader: 90 | Sierra Maness
Wins Leader: 15 | Sierra Maness

LEADING OFF

  • The 2026 season is the 53rd season for the Carolina Softball team.
  • This week in the polls the Gamecocks are ranked No. 24 in the USA Softball/ESPN and are receiving votes from the NFCA and D1Softball polls.
  • They’re 28th in the RPI with an overall strength of schedule of 2.
  • The Gamecocks have played more Top-25 RPI opponents than any other Division I program (19) and 7 more games still to play against Top-25 RPI teams.
    • The next closest is 19 by Texas A&M.
  • The schedule also features five of the Top-6 RPI teams and six of the Top-8, the most of any program, Missouri is just behind with five of the Top-8
  • Based on current opponent winning percentage, the Gamecocks have the second toughest schedule in the nation. Opponents have a combined winning percentage of .674 (Arkansas, .686).
  • They also have the 13th toughest schedule remaining, with opponents having a combined winning percentage of .704.
  • Carolina opened SEC play with the defending National Champion for the second straight season. They opened 2025 at Oklahoma.
  • The Gamecocks are one of three teams in the nation with seven pitchers who have earned a win on the season (UCF, South Dakota State).
    • All seven Carolina pitchers on staff have earned at least one victory.
  • Arianna Rodi hit her 50th career home run against Queens on March 1.
    • She currently sits 14th among active NCAA players in career home runs.
    • Rodi also ranks 4th among active NCAA players in career walks.
    • Quincee Lilio is 36th among active NCAA players in career walks.
  • Jori Heard ranks 29th among active Division I players with a 2.41 career ERA.
    • Nealy Lamb also ranks 48th with a 2.6 ERA.
  • As a team, South Carolina ranks 28th in the nation in double plays with 19.
  • The Gamecocks rank among the top-40 in: ERA, hit batters, and hit by pitches.
  • Arianna Rodi currently is 16th among Division I players with 0.86 walks per game.
  • Jori Heard ranks 25th in ERA with a 1.77.
  • Emma Friedel ranks 36th in strikeouts per seven innings with 8.0.
  • Lexi Winters is third in the SEC with six runners caught stealing.
  • The walk-off win in the 12th inning against LSU was South Carolina’s longest game since a 6-4, 12-inning win at Clemson two years to the day, March. 20, 2024.
    • The 12-inning game was the longest game in Carolina Softball Stadium history.
    • It’s also tied for the fifth longest game in Division I this season.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS IS NOTHING NEW FOR SC

  • South Carolina is 321-86 (.789) over the past nine years in games outside the SEC.
  • Notable wins include Clemson, Duke, Texas Tech, Boston U, Utah, Texas, Penn State, Houston, Arizona State, North Carolina, Florida State, California, Virginia Tech, USF, Long Beach State, Hofstra, Liberty, and UCF.
  • Carolina will play 28 non-conference games in 2026, 21 of which will be played at Carolina Softball Stadium.

SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL RECORD

  • South Carolina has played 2,741 games in its softball history, going 1,761-973-7 (.644) in its 53 years of history.
  • Carolina has posted 30 or more wins in 10 of the past 12 full seasons.
  • Carolina has protected home well, also, with 17 or more victories coming in friendly confines each of the past 11 full years.

PLAYING IN THE PALMETTO STATE

  • Since 2011 Carolina owns a 97-16 mark against other Palmetto State schools.
  • That mark includes a 31-game winning streak.
  • South Carolina went 7-2 in 2025 against in-state foes.

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.

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