Ensley’s grand slam powers Gamecocks to run-rule victory
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina softball (30-22) picked up the 9-1 win over South Carolina State in run-rule fashion in its last regular-season home game at Carolina Softball Stadium on Tuesday night (Apr. 28).
Tori Ensley led the offense going 2-for-3 with three runs and four RBIs. Karley Shelton also had three hits and adding an RBI. Kai Byars was also 2-for-2 with two runs.
South Carolina State opened with three hits in the top of the first, plating a run on a double down the right field line. Carolina responded in the bottom of the frame after Ensley drew a lead-off walk, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and advanced home when Shelton got in a rundown.
Byars led off the second with a double, followed by a walk from Natalie Heath and a single off the bat of Nia McKnight, which loaded the bases. Ensley stepped up and launched her second grand slam of the season for a 5-1 Carolina lead. The home run was her 13th of the season, moving her into sixth place all-time.
Ensley’s second hit of the day was a single to right field in the fourth and she advanced to second on a fielding error. Karley Shelton followed with an RBI single up the middle to build the lead.
Tate Davis added a two-run pinch-hit home run in the fifth for her fifth long ball this season.
The Gamecocks walked it off in the sixth. A couple of singles and a walk led to runners on second and third. On pitch later, pinch runner Lexi Shaver scored from third on a wild pitch for a 9-1 run-rule victory.
Emma Friedel (10-5) took the win in relief, tossing two innings without giving up a hit or a run and striking out five. Nealy Lamb got the start on the night, giving up one run on five hits and five strikeouts. Senior Josey Marron closed out in the final inning and recorded a strikeout.
Arianna Rodi drew two walks in the game, moving her into seventh place all-time in program history with 93 and third in a single season with 44.
South Carolina heads on the road to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama for its last series of the regular season. The series April 30 with first pitch is set for 7 p.m. ET.
