The South Carolina Gamecocks softball team, ranked No. 13, began the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with an 8-1 victory over Washington on Thursday in Cathedral City, California.
Shae Anderson led the Gamecocks offensively by going 2-for-3 and scoring twice. Karley Shelton contributed three runs batted in (RBIs), including a three-run home run in the second inning. Quincee Lilio also drove in two runs during the game.
In the first inning, South Carolina loaded the bases but did not score. However, they opened up scoring in the second after a walk to Nia McKnight and a single from Anderson set up Lilio for an RBI single to right center. Shelton then hit her third home run of the season down the right field line, bringing in three runs.
Anderson continued her performance by leading off the fourth inning with a triple, and was brought home by Lilio’s sacrifice fly. Later that inning, Arianna Rodi hit her third home run of the season to left field.
Washington managed its only run in the fifth inning through three hits and a walk. South Carolina responded with additional runs in their half of the fifth following singles from Tori Ensley and Kai Byars, along with help from a passed ball and throwing error by Washington’s catcher.
The Huskies loaded the bases with one out in the seventh inning, but Jori Heard ended their threat with a double play.
On pitching, Nealy Lamb started for South Carolina and threw three innings without allowing a hit while striking out four batters. Emma Friedel earned her third win of the season after pitching nearly two innings and allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts. Heard secured her first save by pitching over two innings, giving up just one hit and striking out three.
Looking ahead at day two of the Mary Nutter Classic, South Carolina is scheduled to face No. 10 Nebraska at 10 a.m. PT and No. 18 Oregon at 3 p.m. PT on Friday.
For more information about South Carolina Softball or updates on upcoming games, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow their official social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, or Instagram @GamecockSoftball.
