Shelton and Rodi homer to lead No. 13 Gamecocks past Huskies

ATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.  –  The No. 13 South Carolina softball team (8-2) opened the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with an 8-1 win over Washington (7-4) Thursday afternoon (Feb. 19).

Shae Anderson led the way going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Karley Shelton drove in three runs while Quincee Lilio knocked in two. The Gamecock pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts on the day.

South Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, and although they were unable to push a run across, the Gamecocks kept the momentum going in the second. A walk to Nia McKnight and a single by Anderson brought Lilio to the plate. She drove home a run on a single to right center. On the very next pitch Shelton connected on her third home run of the season down the right field line, a three-run shot.

Anderson led off the fourth with a triple down the right field line and Lilio brought her home on a sacrifice fly to right. One out later, Arianna Rodi hit her third home run of the season to left field.

Washington scored their only run of the game in the top of the fifth on three hits and a walk.

Carolina got that run back and more in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff single by Tori Ensley and a hit by pitch from Lexi Winters put runners on first and second. A passed ball and a throwing error by the Washington catcher allowed Ensley to score. Pinch runner Ansley Bennett scored on a single from Kai Byars.

The Huskies loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with one out, but Jori Heard induced the 1-2-3 double play to end the game.

Nealy Lamb started and threw three innings, striking out four, and not allowing a hit. Emma Friedel (3-1) earned the win, tossing 1 2-3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out two. Heard earned her first save of the season, pitching the final 2 1-3 innings, striking out three and allowing one hit.

Day two of the Mary Nutter Classic will see the Gamecocks take on a pair of ranked opponents Friday when they face No. 10 Nebraska at 10 a.m. PT followed by No. 18 Oregon at 3 p.m. PT.