Eight-run first inning leads No. 21 Gamecocks past Eagles

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 21 South Carolina softball team (20-10) earned its fifth straight win Wednesday night (Mar. 18), defeating Georgia Southern (12-15) 13-3 in five innings. The Gamecocks batted around and put up eight runs in the first inning to set the tone.

Karley Shelton led the offense going 3-for-4 with a double, scoring two runs, and stealing a base. Quincee Lilio went 2-for-2, with a game-high three runs and three RBIs, to go along with a triple, and a walk. Jamie Mackay finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Tori Ensley also added a pair of hits.

Lilio opened the bottom of the first with a walk and scored on a throwing error after Shelton singled. Arianna Rodi brought home Shelton with a single and Tate Davis walked to load the bases. Lexi Winters walked in a run to make the score 3-0.

Mackay and Nia McKnight hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to bring the top of the lineup back to bat. Lilio hit an RBI single and then later scored on a wild pitch to give the Gamecocks an 8-0 lead.

South Carolina put up four more runs in the bottom of the second after Nealy Lamb sat down the Eagles in order in the top of the inning. Mackay singled and Shae Anderson walked. One out later, Lilio hit a triple down the right field line to score both runners and increase the lead to 10-0. A fielding error on a ground ball off the bat of Shelton scored Lilio. Carolina tacked on another with an Ensley RBI double.

Mackay drove in the team’s lone run in the third inning with an RBI single to score Davis.

Georgia Southern got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs after drawing three walks.

Lamb (3-4) started and earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings while scattering two hits and striking out two.

Carolina continues its homestand with a three-game series against No. 22 LSU beginning Friday (Mar. 20) at 6 p.m.