South Carolina’s 12th ranked softball team secured a decisive 15-2 win over Syracuse in five innings on Friday, marking the second day of the Gamecock Invitational. The victory brings South Carolina to a 1-1 record for the season, while Syracuse falls to 0-2.
The Gamecocks’ offense produced 12 hits, including four doubles and a home run. Arianna Rodi led with three RBIs and was one of four players—alongside Quincee Lilio, Kai Byars, and Karley Shelton—to collect two hits each. Five different players contributed two RBIs apiece.
South Carolina started strong with four runs in the first inning. Rodi hit the team’s first home run of the season, driving in two runs. Jamie Mackay added two more runs on a fielder’s choice after the bases were loaded.
In the second inning, Shae Anderson turned an inning-ending double play to keep Syracuse from scoring. The Gamecocks added three more runs in their half of the inning; Rodi singled home Anderson, and Tate Davis doubled to bring in Lilio and pinch runner Dakota Potter.
Josey Marron entered as pitcher for South Carolina in the third inning and ended a bases-loaded threat with a strikeout. In their next at-bat, South Carolina scored six more times. Lilio started with an RBI single followed by Shelton’s RBI double. Alyssa Hovermale added another run with a single, Tori Ensley delivered a two-run double, and Byars capped off the frame with a two-run single.
Syracuse managed to score twice in the fourth but South Carolina responded immediately. After Lilio walked, Shelton hit her second double of the game to drive her in; an error allowed Shelton to reach third before she scored on Hovermale’s groundout.
Marron earned her first win of the season by pitching two innings and allowing five hits while striking out one batter. Emma Friedel started for South Carolina, also pitching two innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Ansley Bennett made her collegiate debut in the fifth inning without surrendering any hits.
South Carolina is scheduled for a rematch against No. 19 Virginia Tech on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
For updates on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow their social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.
