Gamecock softball open homestand Friday
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina softball continues its 2018 season this weekend when the Gamecocks return home to Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field to play host to the Gamecock Invitational Friday through Sunday. Action begins Friday at 5:00 PM ET against Michigan State and continues Saturday at 5:30 PM ET against Southern Illinois. Tournament action concludesSunday against Georgetown at 12:30 PM ET and Mercer at 3:00 PM ET.
Carolina comes into the 2018 season looking to build upon a 34-25 season in which the Gamecocks reached the regional final for the third time under the direction of head coach Beverly Smith.
The Gamecocks welcome seven freshmen and transfer Dixie Raley to the program this season to bring the Gamecocks to 20 active members.
Head coach Beverly Smith has been California Dreaming with her roster, as South Carolina has six Californians on the team, more than any other state combined. The next closest is a tie with three between Georgia and South Carolina.
Carolina won’t be lacking arms this season with five available coming into the new season, leaving 15 fielders.
THE UPCOMING WEEK
The Gamecocks closed out a six-game road trip to open the season on Wednesday as they defeated the 49ers in Charlotte, 5-2.
Following the victory, Carolina returns home for the first time this season when it hosts the Gamecock Invitational.
The Gamecocks welcome Michigan State, Southern Illinois, Georgetown and Mercer to Columbia this weekend for the tournament.
Carolina’s opponents for the weekend come into the tournament with a 9-9 record as of Thursday.
GAMECOCK INVITATIONAL – A DEEPER LOOK
South Carolina plays host to the Gamecock Invitational for the fifth-straight year. This year’s field includes Michigan State, Georgetown, Mercer and Southern Illinois alongside the Gamecocks. Action begins with three total tournament games on Friday.
Winning the Gamecock Invitational has become the norm for Carolina, as the program owns an impressive 16-0 mark over the past four seasons in the tournament.
The Carolina pitching staff has shined in the tournament over the past four years. In the 16 games during that span, Gamecock staffs have allowed three or more runs just five times. On the flip side, seven game have finished as shutouts for the Gamecocks.
The Gamecocks hold a commanding 12-2 lead all-time in the games against the opponents coming to Columbia for this weekend’s tournament. Carolina’s lone two losses to the field have come at the hands of Michigan State.
ANOTHER ONE (HOME TOURNAMENT)
Home of warm weather and a great destination for teams to visit, Carolina will host not one but two tournaments this season.
This will be the fourth-straight season the Gamecocks have hosted the Carolina Classic and Gamecock Invitational in the same season.
South Carolina posted an impressive 9-0 record last season in tournament games in Columbia.
Every team in both fields this season are new based off last season’s brackets.
USC Athletics contributed to the writing of this article.
