No. 9 Gamecocks earn SEC series Win Over No. 13 Georgia

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 9/9 South Carolina softball team (22-5, 2-4) picked up its first SEC series win of the season in a 3-2 win over No. 13/13 Georgia (21-6, 2-4) Sunday afternoon (Mar. 16).

Sam Gress (5-2) took the win giving up three hits over 4 2-3 innings, tying a season high with five strikeouts. Gress came in relief for starter Jori Heard who left the game giving up one run in 2 1-3 innings and striking out four.

A pair of solo shots gave Georgia the advantage through four innings.

Carolina’s offense came alive in the fifth, scoring three runs to take the lead over the Bulldogs. A pair of walks and a double from Emily Vinson loaded the bases. Karley Shelton started the scoring run with an RBI infield single to keep the bases loaded for Arianna Rodi, who drew a walk for their second run of the inning. Ella Chancey polished off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Quincee Lilio, to give South Carolina the 3-2 lead.

Rodi extended her on-base streak to 22 games, picking up an RBI and two walks in the game. As a team, the Gamecocks drew six walks in the game,

South Carolina continues its homestand, hosting a three-game series against non-conference opponent No. 14/12 Texas Tech starting Friday, March 21, at 6 p.m.