SC scores 16 runs and hits four home runs in road win over UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Four home runs and 17 hits propelled the South Carolina softball team (27-21) to a 16-14 win in eight innings at North Carolina (31-15) Wednesday night (Apr. 22).

The 17 hits are the most since the Gamecocks has 19 against Queens on March 1. The four home runs tied a season-high.

Tori Ensley led South Carolina going 4-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs. Kai Byars led the team with five RBIs on the night on three hits. Arianna Rodi led the way with four runs scored to go along with two hits and three RBIs. Quincee Lilio finished with three hits while Natalie Heath had two. Karley Shelton also scored three runs.

The Gamecocks went to work quick, batting around in the first inning and scoring five runs. Three straight hits by Lilio, Jamie Mackay and a double from Shelton led to a run. After a fielder’s choice added another run, Ensley singled to left and brought home Shelton. One out later Heath scored Rodi on a single to center. The final run came on an RBI groundout by Byars.

After a solo home run by the Tar Heels in the bottom of the first, Ensley answered back in the second. Mackay was hit by a pitch and pinch runner Nia McKnight stole second and went to third on a throwing error. Ensley hit a shot to the right center gap for a double and scoring McKnight.

UNC added solo home runs in the bottom of the second and the third.

South Carolina got a two-run home run from Rodi in the fourth. North Carolina responded with eight runs in the bottom of the inning, all of which were unearned. They added another run in the fifth.

The Gamecocks tied it in the sixth with four runs. Rodi got it started with a leadoff home run, her 10th of the season. Two outs later Heath drew a walk and Byars connected on her third home run of the season, just over the wall in right field. After another walk, Lilio tied it on a double to right center that scored Shae Anderson.

The Tar Heels took the lead again in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs on a double.

Down but not out, the Gamecocks rallied in the seventh. Rodi and Ensley walked to start the inning. Down to their last strike, the freshman Byars delivered a two-run single down the right field line to tie the game.

In the eighth, it would be Ensley delivering again. Shelton drew a leadoff walk and one out later on the fourth pitch of her at-bat, Ensley connected on her 10th home run of the season, hitting it off the scoreboard in left center and giving the Gamecocks the lead. Jori Heard made quick work of the Tar Heels in the bottom of the frame, sending them down in order to secure the victory.

Heard (10-8) started and re-entered in the in the sixth to claim the victory. She finished the night with 6 2-3 inning pitched, allowing 12 hits on five earned runs and striking out three.

The Gamecocks return home to open an SEC series with No. 11 Texas A&M April 24 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.