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Gamecocks Travel to UNC for Midweek Matchup
Softball  . 

Gamecocks Travel to UNC for Midweek Matchup

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The South Carolina softball team wraps up its road trip when the Gamecocks travel to North Carolina April 22 for a 5 p.m. first pitch.

SERIES INFORMATION
Series History: South Carolina leads 54-19
Trend: South Carolina won 2
Last Meeting: South Carolina 11, North Carolina 3 (6) | Feb. 18, 2025 | Columbia, S.C.

RV South Carolina Gamecocks (26-21, 5-13)
RV South Carolina Gamecocks (26-21, 5-13)
at
North Carolina Tar Heels (31-14, 9-12)
North Carolina Tar Heels (31-14, 9-12)
Chapel Hill, N.C. | Anderson Softball Field
TV: ACCN+
ONLINE:

RV South Carolina Gamecocks 26-21, 5-13 SEC
Coach: Ashley Woodard | 2nd Season
AVG Leader: .350 | Karley Shelton
RBI Leader: 35 | Karley Shelton and Tori Ensley
Home Run Leader: 9 | Tori Ensley
ERA Leader: 1.64 | Jori Heard
Strikeout Leader: 99 | Jori Heard
Wins Leader: 9 | Jori Heard

North Carolina Tar Heels 31-14, 9-12 ACC
Coach: Megan Smith Lyon | 3rd Season
AVG Leader: .472 | Sanaa Thompson
RBI Leader: 70 | Emily LeGette
Home Run Leader: 24 | Emily LeGette
ERA Leader: 4.12 | Kenna Raye Dark
Strikeout Leader: 65 | Kendall Frost
Wins Leader: 10 | Kendall Frost

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 5.
  • The Gamecocks have played more Top-25 RPI opponents than any other Division I program (23) and 6 more games still to play against Top-25 RPI teams.
    • The next closest is 22 by Texas A&M.
  • The schedule also features nine of the Top-11 RPI teams and four of the Top-5, the most of any program, Missouri is just behind with seven of the Top-11.
  • Based on current opponent winning percentage, the Gamecocks have the toughest schedule in the nation. Opponents have a combined winning percentage of .666.
  • They also have the 7th toughest schedule remaining, with opponents having a combined winning percentage of .780.
  • Carolina opened SEC play with the defending National Champion for the second straight season. They opened 2025 at Oklahoma.
  • The Gamecocks are one of five teams in DI with at least seven pitchers who have earned a win on the season (UCF, South Dakota State, Lindenwood, UTSA).
    • 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 sits 12th among active NCAA players in career home runs with 52.
    • Rodi also ranks 6th among active NCAA players in career walks.
    • Quincee Lilio is 35th among active NCAA players in career walks.
  • Jori Heard ranks 27th among active Division I players with a 2.33 career ERA.
    • Nealy Lamb also ranks 50th with a 2.64 ERA.
  • As a team, South Carolina ranks 25th in the nation in double plays with 21.
  • The Gamecocks rank among the top-40 in: ERA, fielding percentage, hit batters, and hit by pitches.
  • Arianna Rodi currently is 22nd among Division I players with 0.83 walks per game.
    • Quincee Lilio is 45th with 0.74 walks per game.
  • Jori Heard ranks 17th in ERA with a 1.64.
    • She ranks 25th nationally with a 1.01 WHIP.
    • She also leads the SEC and is 31st in the nation with 32 appearances.
  • Emma Friedel ranks 35th with 8.1 strikeouts per seven innings.
  • 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 322-86 (.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 2,745 games in its softball history, going 1,764-974-7 (.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.

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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